'A Family Favorite': SF ZooLights Holiday Program Returns In November

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A "family-favorite" event is returning to the San Francisco Zoo in November, officials said.

The "ZooLights" Winter Holiday Program begins on Friday, Nov. 6, and will stay through Jan. 3, 2027, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Director of Communications Nancy Chan said. ZooLights will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays until Wednesday, Dec. 16, officials said.

The display features 14 "dazzling" zones with animal-themed, winter and botanical outdoor holiday lights, the San Francisco Zoo said.

"Whimsical animal shapes and scenes will dot the landscape, using 2D and 3D illuminations of a rhino and gorilla, even a tree full of ring-tailed lemurs," Chan said. "Vibrantly colored, larger-than-life butterflies are part of an enchanting botanical pathway, as guests navigate under a large floral archway past 12-foot-tall flowers, motion-activated flowers, and a stunning butterfly wing photo op."

There will also be traditional winter holiday zones, where visitors can take photos walking through lighted tunnels, walk amongst giant cady canes, a frozen forest and a massive ice throne, officials said.

A recent exhibition called "Dinos Rule! will also benefit from the holiday lighting after being extended through Jan. 3, 2027, offering an elevated experience for visitors.

Throughout the holiday program, special themed events will take place on Fridays and Saturdays, zoo officials said.

Those include the following:

• Friday, Nov. 13 - Bingo Night
• Saturday, Nov. 14 - Silent Disco
• Friday, Nov. 20 - Trivia Night
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - Family Techno Glow Rave
• Friday, Dec. 4 - Star Wars Night
• Friday, Dec. 11 & Saturday, Dec. 12 - Santa Claus
• Friday, Dec. 18 & Saturday, Dec. 19 - Santa Claus and Dickens Carolers.

ZooLights require a separate ticket from daytime admissions, officials said. ZooLights admission is $30 for adults and $21 for children 2 to 11, officials said.