# Chicago Zoo Lights 2026

> Chicago Zoo Lights in Chicago, Illinois: Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, with hours, ticket prices and what is nearby. Checked against the organizer.

Source: https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/chicago-lincoln-park-zoolights/

Dates checked 4 Nov 2026

Lincoln Park Zoo's holiday tradition lights the zoo with more than 3 million lights, a light tunnel and hundreds of LED displays, with a Ferris wheel, carousel and fire pits for s'mores. It runs nightly except a few closed dates from late November to early January.

| Dates | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
| --- | --- |
| Open Days | Closed Thu, Nov 26, Tue, Dec 1, Tue, Dec 8, Tue, Dec 15, Thu, Dec 24, Fri, Dec 25 |
| Hours | Every open night 4:30 pm to 9 pm Last entry at 8 pm. Members' preview on Nov 19, a sensory-friendly night on Nov 24 and an adults-only night on Dec 10 are special ticketed events. Open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. |
| Tickets | Ticket needed. Every visitor needs a ticket: fixed-date tickets $7 to $12 in advance, $20 on the day; flexible tickets $20; free with a reservation on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 (2026) |
| Type | Zoo lights |
| Where | Lincoln Park Zoo, on the North Side lakefront, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614 |

Checked on [Lincoln Park Zoo](https://www.lpzoo.org/zoolights/), November 4, 2026. Buy tickets from the organizer's own site.

## Where Is Chicago Zoo Lights?

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## Christmas Markets Near Chicago Zoo Lights

[Wrigleyville Christmas Market  Chicago, Illinois  Nov 20 to Dec 31, 2026  Closed Fri, Dec 25  2 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-wrigleyville/) [One of a Kind Holiday Show  Chicago, Illinois  Dec 3 to 6, 2026  2 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-one-of-a-kind-holiday-show/) [Chicago Christmas Market  Chicago, Illinois  Nov 20 to Dec 24, 2026  3 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-christkindlmarket/) [Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up Fulton Market  Chicago, Illinois  2026 dates not announced yet  3 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/chicago-jack-frost/)

## Other Light Shows Near Chicago

[Chicago Botanic Garden Christmas Lights  Glencoe, Illinois  Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  Botanical garden lights · 18 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/glencoe-chicago-botanic-garden-lightscape/) [Morton Arboretum Christmas Lights  Lisle, Illinois  Nov 14, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027  Botanical garden lights · 23 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/lisle-morton-arboretum-illumination/)

[Christmas Markets and Lights Near Chicago](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/near/chicago/)

## Questions About Chicago Zoo Lights

### When is Chicago Zoo Lights open in 2026?

November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Closed Thu, Nov 26, Tue, Dec 1, Tue, Dec 8, Tue, Dec 15, Thu, Dec 24, Fri, Dec 25. Hours: Every open night 4:30 pm to 9 pm.

### How much are tickets for Chicago Zoo Lights?

Ticket needed. Every visitor needs a ticket: fixed-date tickets $7 to $12 in advance, $20 on the day; flexible tickets $20; free with a reservation on Mondays except Dec 21 and 28 (2026). Prices as published by the organizer for 2026.

### Is Chicago Zoo Lights a drive-through?

No: it is a zoo lights event that you see on foot.

[All Christmas light shows](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/) · [Christmas markets in Illinois](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/illinois/)