# DC Zoo Lights 2026

> DC Zoo Lights in Washington, DC: 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/washington-national-zoo-zoolights/

Dates checked 4 Nov 2026

Washington's holiday walk through the National Zoo, with lit pathways and lantern displays, live music and hot cocoa; most animal houses are closed in the evening. Tickets are $10, but parking costs extra.

| Dates | November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 |
| --- | --- |
| Open Days | Open days within these dates not yet published |
| Hours | Monday to Saturday 5 pm to 9 pm; Sunday 5 pm to 8 pm Last entry 30 minutes before closing. Members' nights on Dec 8 and 9 and an adults-only (21+) night on Dec 16. |
| Tickets | Ticket needed. General admission $10; ages 2 and under free; adults-only night $19; parking $30 in advance or $40 on the day (2026) |
| Type | Zoo lights |
| Where | The Smithsonian's National Zoo in Woodley Park, Northwest Washington, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 |
| Parking | Parking is not included with admission: ZooLights parking passes are $30 in advance and $40 on the day; drivers use the main vehicle entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW. |
| Transit | The zoo is a walk up Connecticut Avenue from the Woodley Park and Cleveland Park Metro stations (Red Line). |

Checked on [Smithsonian's National Zoo](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/events/zoolights), November 4, 2026. Buy tickets from the organizer's own site.

## Where Is DC Zoo Lights?

## Christmas Markets Near DC Zoo Lights

[Dupont Circle Holiday Market  Washington, DC  Nov 12 to Dec 23, 2026  Closed Thu, Nov 26, Mon, Nov 30  1 mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/washington-dupont-circle-holiday-market/) [Heurich Christmas Markt  Washington, DC  Dec 3 to 6, 2026  1 mile away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/washington-heurich-christmas-markt/) [Swedish Christmas Market DC  Washington, DC  Dec 5, 2026  2 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/washington-swedish-holiday-market/) [DC Holiday Market Penn Quarter  Washington, DC  Nov 13 to Dec 23, 2026  Closed Thu, Nov 26  3 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/washington-downtowndc-holiday-market/)

## Other Light Shows Near Washington

[Brookside Gardens Garden of Lights  Wheaton, Maryland  Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  Botanical garden lights · 9 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/wheaton-brookside-garden-of-lights/) [Meadowlark Winter Walk of Lights  Vienna, Virginia  Nov 11, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  Botanical garden lights · 13 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/vienna-meadowlark-winter-walk-of-lights/) [Sandy Point Christmas Lights  Annapolis, Maryland  Nov 23, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  Drive-through light show · 35 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/holiday-lights/annapolis-lights-on-the-bay/)

[Christmas Markets and Lights Near Washington, DC](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/near/washington-dc/)

## Questions About DC Zoo Lights

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

November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Open days within these dates not yet published. Hours: Monday to Saturday 5 pm to 9 pm; Sunday 5 pm to 8 pm.

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

Ticket needed. General admission $10; ages 2 and under free; adults-only night $19; parking $30 in advance or $40 on the day (2026). Prices as published by the organizer for 2026.

### Is DC 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 Washington, DC](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/washington-dc/)