A cup of hot cocoa, a good rain jacket, and a walk beneath glowing tunnels make a pretty appealing plan for a dark Portland evening. Oregon Zoo’s ZooLights returns November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027, with wildlife-inspired lights, a train route lined with animal lanterns, and a calendar that offers several different ways to visit. You can bring the family on a Value Night, choose an adults-only evening, or plan around a sensory-friendly experience before the regular season begins.

ZooLights is a separately ticketed outdoor light walk at the Oregon Zoo in Washington Park. Most animals are off view, and the train costs extra, so plan for an evening of lights rather than a nighttime animal tour. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. during the regular run, closing times vary by date, and the zoo recommends allowing about 90 minutes for the roughly 1.25-mile route. The details below will help you choose a night, work out the whole evening’s cost, and leave room for that cocoa stop.

A familiar Portland hillside becomes an evening light walk

The appeal of ZooLights starts with the setting. Washington Park gives the outing wooded surroundings and paths that invite you to keep walking, with the zoo’s wildlife theme carried into the illuminated displays. This season’s official description includes walk-through light tunnels and dozens of life-size animal lanterns along the train route. For a child who loves pointing out animals, or an adult happy to spend an hour looking at color against the winter dark, there’s plenty to build an evening around.

Give the walk some breathing room. Ninety minutes is a useful starting point, but a snack, a train queue, or a group that stops for photographs can change the pace. It’s easier to enjoy the route when dinner afterward isn’t booked so tightly that every pause becomes a negotiation. If your group includes little kids or someone who needs frequent rests, choose the entry time around their comfort rather than the latest closing hour.

Set expectations about the animals before arriving. Most animals won’t be visible during ZooLights, even though the illuminated wildlife shapes are a major part of the show. A daytime zoo visit is the better choice if seeing the living animals is the reason for your trip. The zoo clears daytime visitors before preparing for the evening event, so a day ticket doesn’t let you stay through the changeover.

Choose a date before choosing a ticket

A holiday light outing can land anywhere between a quick weeknight trip and the centerpiece of a weekend in Portland. The calendar above is worth a look before you invite everyone, especially around Thanksgiving and New Year’s. ZooLights is closed November 24–26 and Christmas Day, while January 1 and 2 are reserved for guests 21 and older. Families hoping for one last visit after the holidays can choose January 3, the final Value Night.

Value Nights fall early in the regular run and again at its finish. They’re a sensible place to start if your dates are flexible, but the label doesn’t mean every guest pays the lowest price in the advertised season range. Check the actual adult and child amounts after selecting your date. For example, November 20 has entry reservations from 4:30 through 7 p.m., with standard adult tickets listed at $22 and child tickets at $17.

With a standard dated ticket, reserve the day and arrival time that work for your party. The zoo’s timed-entry guidance says to arrive within that scheduled window, allowing extra time if you’re parking. The final ticket time is earlier than the grounds’ closing time, and late entry ends 30 minutes after that final reservation time. A closing hour is therefore a limit for people already inside, not an invitation to show up at the gate then.

What ZooLights costs, including the little extras

The advertised season ranges are $13–$35 for adults ages 12 and older and $13–$30 for youth ages 2–11. Children ages 0–1 enter free, but they still need to be included in the ticket reservation. Count every person before checking out, including a baby who will spend the evening in a carrier or stroller. The price displayed for a particular date is more useful for your budget than the lowest number on the event page.

At checkout, a November 20 adult ticket listed at $22 totals $22 without a separately displayed tax or processing fee. Check your own final total before paying, especially if you add other products to the order. Food, parking, merchandise, and rides can add to the outing’s cost. For example, two $22 adult admissions and two $17 child admissions total $78 before those extras, while four $6 train rides would bring that example to $102.

Zoo members receive 20% off regularly priced ZooLights admission, with no additional discount on Value Nights. Sign in to the membership account before buying, and plan for the named adult member to bring photo ID and enter with the whole party. ZooLights admission still requires a reservation. A membership’s daytime admission benefit doesn’t take the place of the event ticket.

Qualifying Oregon and Washington households can buy up to four discounted tickets for themselves and immediate family members. The current checkout lists adult and child assistance tickets at $13 each and requires an Oregon or Washington photo ID plus proof of benefits at the gate. Eligible programs include Oregon Trail, Washington Quest, Oregon Health Plan or Apple Health, WIC, and TANF. Read the zoo’s discount requirements before choosing that option so you have the correct documentation with your tickets.

Any Night passes offer flexibility within a shorter date range

If pinning down a December date is the hard part, an Any Night pass may suit your plans better than a timed ticket. The live ticket shop lists these passes at $35 for adults and $30 for children ages 2–11, with a free infant option. They cover one visit during regular ZooLights hours from November 20 through December 31, 2026. They don’t extend into the January portion of the season.

The official ticket shop separates dated admission from Any Night passes, so make sure you’re choosing the product you intend to buy. Any Night admission excludes BrewLights and the adults-only nights. Its higher price buys flexibility, which is useful for a gift or a group waiting on holiday schedules, but it may cost more than the dated tickets you’d otherwise choose. Check the open dates before heading to Washington Park, even with a pass that doesn’t require choosing a day when you purchase it.

The lantern train is a separate choice

The train offers another way to see the lights, with animal lanterns along its route. In the current ZooLights add-on shop, a train ticket is $6, while a train ticket for an infant age 0–1 is free. Carousel admission is listed separately at $3.50. Standard ZooLights admission covers the walk; it doesn’t automatically include either ride.

You can buy ride tickets along with admission, but forgetting them doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance. The zoo’s ride-ticket guidance says train and carousel tickets are also sold separately online and at the rides during ZooLights. Decide whether the train is a priority before allocating your time, especially if your group wants both the walk and a snack. Paying for a ride adds an activity to the evening, and your plans should leave space for its queue as well as the ride itself.

There’s also a much bigger optional upgrade. The advertised Snow Globe experience costs $300 for a 60-minute session accommodating up to six guests, with heated seating, cocoa in souvenir cups, s’mores, a shared fire pit, and fast-pass train tickets. Treat it as a separate reservation and read that product’s admission terms before booking. Most visitors can plan a satisfying evening around the regular walk without committing to a private space.

BrewLights, preview night, and January’s 21+ evenings

BrewLights on November 13 and 14, 2026, is its own adults-only festival, before the standard ZooLights season. General entry starts at 5:30 p.m. and costs $65; early entry at 4:30 p.m. costs $75. The regular tasting ticket includes a souvenir mug and ten three-ounce pours, while nondrinker admission at the same prices includes two nonalcoholic pours. Taps close at 9 p.m., and the event ends at 9:30 p.m.

The member preview on November 15 runs from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., offering an earlier look for members. The following evening is the sensory-friendly event, described below. Neither should be confused with opening night for the standard public run on November 20. Choosing the correct event first will save you from comparing ticket prices that cover different experiences.

January 1 and 2, 2027, are 21+ Only Nights, separately promoted at $29. These evenings offer the light displays in an adults-only setting, with live music and entertainment advertised by the zoo. They are different from November’s beer-tasting festival, so don’t assume a January ticket includes BrewLights samples. Anyone planning a family holiday visit should keep those two dates off the shortlist.

Cocoa, elephant ears, and a rain jacket that earns its keep

Food can be part of the fun without becoming an elaborate dinner plan. The current add-on shop lists hot cocoa at $5, an elephant ear at $8.50, a churro at $5, and a s’mores kit at $7. Those are optional purchases, and the shop also offers cocoa with a souvenir mug. If a warm drink is your main ambition, you can budget for that small pleasure without adding a private reservation or every ride.

ZooLights is cashless, so bring a payment card or a device ready for touchless payment. The zoo advertises free reverse ATMs for visitors who arrive with cash. Charge your phone before leaving, since it may be doing several jobs that evening, from displaying admission tickets to taking photographs and checking the trip home. Having the tickets easily accessible before reaching the gate also saves the group from searching through email in the rain.

The event operates rain or shine. Comfortable shoes, warm layers, and a waterproof outer layer are more useful than dressing as though the entire visit takes place indoors. The zoo’s weather policy doesn’t provide refunds or rescheduling for ordinary weather; if the zoo closes to the public, affected tickets are refunded. Its general ticket policy allows exchange requests in some circumstances, but approval isn’t automatic. Choose a date you can attend and read the purchase terms before paying.

Take MAX to the entrance, or allow time for parking

The Oregon Zoo is at 4001 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR 97221, in Washington Park, just west of downtown. MAX’s Blue and Red lines serve Washington Park station beside the zoo parking area. Your ZooLights ticket serves as TriMet fare on your admission date, so keep it available on your phone or carry a printed copy. The benefit covers bus, MAX, WES, LIFT, and Portland Streetcar, but not C-TRAN.

For drivers arriving from outside Portland, the Sunset Transit Center Park & Ride can make a useful meeting point. Park there for free, then take MAX one stop east to Washington Park. Check your return service before setting out, particularly if you’re staying until a later closing time. The train ride into Washington Park is a practical way to keep the evening’s transport costs predictable.

If driving directly, use the zoo’s current parking and arrival guide and leave time to find a space. Parking near the entrance is limited and paid; the ZooLights help center lists a 4–10 p.m. rate of $3.80 an hour plus a 20-cent transaction fee. Follow the posted parking terms for your actual stay, especially on nights the event runs past 10 p.m. An event ticket doesn’t reserve a parking space.

Plan access around the hillside and your group’s needs

Washington Park’s terrain deserves some thought when planning a visit. The zoo occupies a wooded hillside with about 150 feet of elevation change, and most pathways and visitor facilities are ADA accessible. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available to rent at the main-plaza gift shop on a first-come basis. The zoo train and carousel can accommodate wheelchairs, and staff can help parties arrange to ride together.

The official accessibility guide also explains service-animal check-in, accessible parking, and complimentary admission for a one-to-one support person accompanying a ticketed guest with a disability. That support ticket is obtained with staff at entry rather than reserved online. Free sensory bags are available at the entrance. Planning these details before your outing gives you more control over arrival and the pace of the walk.

Sensory-Friendly Night on November 16 runs from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with quieter music, limited participation to reduce crowds, and available cool-down spaces. It’s intended for guests with different sensory processing needs and their families. The zoo recommends the free KultureCity app, which includes a social story and information about resources. Compare that dedicated evening with a standard visit if your party would benefit from a calmer experience.

Make room for Portland around the lights

For visitors staying overnight, ZooLights fits comfortably into a trip with daytime sightseeing and an early dinner. Our Portland travel guide can help you choose a neighborhood base and work out transportation. Keep the zoo evening manageable rather than trying to cross the city for several more attractions afterward. You’ll have more time to stop along the light route and less reason to watch the clock.

If you’re collecting ideas for other days, TOL’s look at Oregon towns during the holidays offers inspiration, with each destination’s current calendar worth checking before a trip. For upcoming gatherings across the state, use our Oregon Events calendar. Start by choosing your ZooLights night and entry time, then build dinner and travel around that reservation.

ZooLights questions, answered

When is Oregon Zoo ZooLights in 2026–2027?

The regular season runs November 20, 2026–January 3, 2027, excluding November 24–26 and December 25. Opening is 4:30 p.m.; closing varies by date. January 1–2 are 21+ only, with a final all-ages Value Night on January 3.

How much are tickets, and what do they include?

Advertised admission ranges are $13–$35 for ages 12+ and $13–$30 for ages 2–11, depending on the date and eligibility. Ages 0–1 are free with a reserved ticket. Standard admission covers the light walk and admission-date transit benefit; rides, food, and daytime zoo entry are separate.

Will we see animals, and is the train included?

Most animals are off view during ZooLights. The train is an optional $6 add-on, with a free infant train ticket for ages 0–1. It passes animal lanterns, and a standard ZooLights ticket doesn’t include the ride.

How long should we allow, and does rain cancel it?

Allow about 90 minutes for the roughly 1.25-mile walk, with extra time for rides, food, and your group’s pace. ZooLights operates rain or shine. Ordinary wet weather doesn’t qualify for a refund, while a public closure triggers refunds for affected tickets.

Should we take transit, and is the route accessible?

ZooLights tickets include admission-date TriMet travel, and Washington Park MAX station is beside the zoo parking area. Drivers pay separately to park. Most zoo paths are ADA accessible, but the grounds are hilly; review the access guide for rentals, support-person admission, and sensory resources before visiting.