ZOOLIGHTS 2026 at the Calgary Zoo: Dates, Tickets & Tips

Ask a Calgarian where Christmas lights live in this city and most will say the zoo. For 30 years, ZOOLIGHTS has turned the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo on St. George’s Island into a winter walk of more than a million lights, with fire pits, a carousel, Santa and, somehow, axe throwing. It’s the city’s biggest light show and the one families come back to year after year.

The 30th-anniversary season runs November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Here’s what’s new, how tickets work and how to get the most out of a cold night.

Comparing light shows? Our Christmas lights in Calgary roundup lists every display with dates and prices side by side.

ZOOLIGHTS 2026: Quick Facts

What’s New for the 30th Anniversary

• An illuminated “30” photo spot in the North Pole
• Merry & Bright Light Show with singing trees and projections outside Kitamba Café
• Tales from the Prairie, a glowing conservation storybook starring burrowing owls
• Gumdrop Grove in the Holiday Gardens, with candy lights and glowing orbs
• Walk-through gingerbread houses, winter games and fire pits in the Adventure Zone
• The Find Your Wild Maze, a glowing bamboo trail and prairie-inspired displays
• Free Wildlife Carousel rides every night

Hours

• November 13 to January 3: 5:30 to 9:30 PM, last admission 9:00 PM
• December 25: closed
• December 31: open regular hours, with free kids’ entertainment and a crafting station

Plan on about 90 minutes. Animal buildings are closed during ZOOLIGHTS, so this is a lights night, not an animal visit.

Tickets

The zoo uses Plan-Ahead Pricing online: prices change daily and generally drop the earlier you buy, so check the official page for the date you want. Tickets are non-refundable. If a night is cancelled for extreme weather, your ticket moves to another date.

• Wonder Wednesdays: 20% off ZOOLIGHTS and Sunlight to ZOOLIGHTS tickets online and at the gate, November 18 to December 16.
• Fee assistance: City of Calgary Fee Assistance card holders get a discount at the gate.
• Groups: call Guest Relations at 403-232-9300.

Santa at ZOOLIGHTS

Santa is at Santa’s Polar Palace in the Skoki Classroom nightly from 5:30 to 9:30 PM, November 13 to December 23. Zoo members get exclusive access until 6:30 PM on November 16, 23 and 30 and December 7 and 14.

Axe Throwing

Yes, really. Guests 8 and up get up to three free throws, with adults signing waivers for anyone under 18. Axe throwing runs Fridays and Saturdays from November 13 to December 12, then every night from December 18 to January 3 (except December 25), 5:30 to 9:30 PM, with the last queue entry at 9:15 PM.

Know Before You Go

• Buy online. It’s cheaper the earlier you book and you skip the line.
• Dress for the cold. It’s outdoors, and a December night on St. George’s Island can be well below –15°C.
• Go on a Wednesday before December 16 for 20% off.
• Food: Kitamba Café, Penguin Café and select stands open nightly; hours can vary with weather.
• Sensory bags with headphones and a fidget are free at the North Gift Shop, and signs warn of flashing lights.

Getting There and Parking

Use the North Gate. The West Gate is closed for construction until at least 2028. Parking at the North Gate costs $14 through ParkPlus; members registered with ParkPlus park free. By transit, the Zoo CTrain station on the Blue Line is a short walk from the zoo, which makes it easy to skip the parking lot on busy December weekends.

Accessibility

Wheelchairs can be rented at the North Gift Shop, first come, first served. Paths are paved, but snow and ice are possible. Signs flag displays with flashing or moving lights and sound.

Make a Night of It

• Indoor alternative: Holiday Wonder at the BMO Centre puts a million lights indoors.
• Free lights: the Lions Festival of Lights in Confederation Park is free and open until midnight.
• Shop first: the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market opens the same weekend, November 13.
• More Santa: see where to see Santa in Calgary.

For the whole season, start with the Calgary Christmas Guide 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is ZOOLIGHTS 2026?

November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027, nightly 5:30 to 9:30 PM. It’s closed December 25.

How much are ZOOLIGHTS tickets?

Prices change daily under Plan-Ahead Pricing and are usually lower the earlier you buy. Check the zoo’s site for your date. Wednesdays from November 18 to December 16 are 20% off.

Is Santa at ZOOLIGHTS?

Yes, nightly from November 13 to December 23 at Santa’s Polar Palace.

Can I see the animals during ZOOLIGHTS?

Not the indoor animals: animal buildings are closed during ZOOLIGHTS. Buy a Sunlight to ZOOLIGHTS ticket to visit in the afternoon first.

Where do I park?

At the North Gate, for $14 through ParkPlus. The West Gate is closed for construction.

How long does ZOOLIGHTS take?

About 90 minutes.

What happens if it’s too cold?

If the zoo cancels a night for extreme weather, your ticket moves to an alternative date.

Is ZOOLIGHTS open on New Year’s Eve?

Yes, regular hours, with free kids’ entertainment.

Related: Christmas with kids in Calgary, best Christmas things to do in Calgary.

Part of: Calgary Christmas Guide 2026 › Christmas Lights in Calgary 2026