Travel Guide
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Everything you need to know — hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
About Lincoln Park ZooLights
A long-running Chicago holiday tradition that fills Lincoln Park Zoo with millions of lights, glowing animal sculptures, ice carving and holiday music. It runs on select nights from late November into early January and makes a festive evening walk for all ages.
Nyc-and-chicago-at-christmas
Insider Knowledge
Travel Tips
Check whether your night requires a timed-entry ticket, as policies and pricing can change from year to year.
Go on a weeknight for shorter waits and arrive right at opening.
Grab hot chocolate from the concession stands and dress for the cold.
Take a CTA bus or rideshare, because zoo parking fills fast.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Many nights have been free in recent years, but some may be ticketed, so check the zoo's website.
Opening Hours
Select nightsApprox. 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
SeasonLate November - early January
ZooLights is closed on some nights and holidays, so check the zoo's calendar.
Ticket Prices
AdmissionFree on many nights; some nights may be ticketed
ParkingApprox. USD 30-40
Check current rules, since ticketing and pricing can change.
AI Powered
Plan a Trip to Nyc-and-chicago-at-christmas
Lizza, our AI travel assistant, can build you a full Nyc-and-chicago-at-christmas itinerary — free, in seconds.
Looking for more? Browse travel guides & tips →
Nearby
Must See Attractions
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasBryant Park Winter Village
A holiday village in Midtown Manhattan behind the New York Public Library, with an ice rink, a European-style market of more than 100 glass kiosks selling gifts and food, and a cozy rinkside bar. Rink admission is free if you bring your own skates.
View Details
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasChristkindlmarket Chicago
Chicago's beloved German-style Christmas market in Daley Plaza in the Loop, inspired by Nuremberg's, with wooden huts selling ornaments, nutcrackers, bratwurst, potato pancakes, stollen and hot spiced Gluhwein in collectible boot-shaped mugs. A second market sets up at Gallagher Way by Wrigley Field.
View Details
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasDyker Heights Christmas Lights
A residential Brooklyn neighborhood where homeowners go all-out with giant inflatable Santas, animated nutcrackers and hundreds of thousands of lights. The densest displays sit roughly between 11th and 13th avenues from 83rd to 86th streets, making it one of New York's most memorable free holiday outings.
View Details
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasLincoln Park ZooLights
A long-running Chicago holiday tradition that fills Lincoln Park Zoo with millions of lights, glowing animal sculptures, ice carving and holiday music. It runs on select nights from late November into early January and makes a festive evening walk for all ages.
View Details
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasMagnificent Mile Lights Festival
Chicago's Magnificent Mile, the stretch of North Michigan Avenue from the river to Oak Street, sparkles with more than a million lights on its trees each holiday season. The season kicks off with the Lights Festival parade on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and the lights stay up into January.
View Details
nyc-and-chicago-at-christmasRockefeller Center Christmas Tree
New York's most famous holiday tree, a towering Norway spruce usually 70 to 90 feet tall, topped with a Swarovski star and strung with about 50,000 LED lights above the Rink at Rockefeller Center. It's typically lit the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and stays up into mid-January.
View Details