Holiday light show that turns the Philadelphia Zoo grounds into a nighttime walk of wildlife-themed light displays, a light tunnel and the Ferris Wheel.
LumiNature, presented by PNC Bank, returns to the Philadelphia Zoo most nights from November 19, 2026, through January 9, 2027. It's the Zoo's holiday light show, and it turns the 42-acre grounds into a nighttime walk of wildlife-themed light displays. You'll find a light tunnel along the way, and the 110-foot Pherris Wheel, which debuted in 2025 and is scheduled to stay on site through Philadelphia's 250th anniversary celebrations.
There's a bit of a game to it, too. You unlock the story of 'Santa Claws' with your Zoo key, collect stamps in a holiday passport, and fulfill the wishes of animals and humans alike. Since most of the animals are indoors at night, this is more about the winter-night atmosphere than daytime animal viewing—it's geared toward families and couples. A visit usually takes one to two hours.
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Tickets are dated, and the price depends on when you go. On base nights—Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays—they're $25 to $28 for adults (ages 12 and up) and $20 to $23 for children (ages 2 to 11). On peak nights—Fridays and Saturdays—they rise to $28 for adults and $23 for children. If you'd rather not commit to a specific date, there are flat-rate Anytime Tickets for $32 for adults and $27 for children, which work on any operating night without booking a time. Children under 2 are free, and Zoo members pay less. The show runs from 5 to 9 PM on select nights.
