IllumiNights Lantern Festival Brightens the Holidays at the Zoo
The holiday season in Atlanta is about to get a whole lot brighter. IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival presented by Georgia Power, returns to Zoo Atlanta for another year. The zoo is decorated with hundreds of hand-crafted lanterns, all designed to celebrate the biodiversity and nature across the planet. The displays are environmentally friendly LED lights, keeping with Zoo Atlanta's focus on conservation.
Past years have seen lantern pandas, tigers, birds, undersea creatures and massive dragons (there's room for fantasy too!), all in vibrant color and set up throughout the zoo. Guests can cozy up with roasted marshmallows and warm beverages (you can make them even more festive if you are 21 and up). Snack stands and meal options are sprinkled throughout, so don’t miss out on the limited-edition souvenir cups, which come with free refills throughout the evening!
Other activities include the Endangered Species Carousel, as well as the Elf Power Inc. Virtual Reality Experience. Hosted at the Wild Explorer VR Theater, this additional ticketed attraction brings a whole new layer of magic to the night.
IllumiNights runs nightly from November 20, 2024, through January 19, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.). Keep in mind that this is an after-dark event, so the Zoo’s animal residents won’t be on view—come during the day if you want to meet them! Whether you’re a local or just visiting, IllumiNights is the perfect way to add some wonder to your winter evenings. Don’t miss out on this dazzling holiday tradition!
Tickets are limited, so buying in advance is highly recommended. For more details and to grab your tickets, visit zooatlanta.org/illuminights.
Here's a video from last year....
Lights not your thing? Also on the calendar is 'Cookies with Santa' - coming up on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8. Make plans now to bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional photo! Other festive fun will include meet-and-greets with Rudolph and Frosty; cookies and hot cocoa; and holiday songs and crafts. Guests will enjoy the convenience of being able to receive mobile notifications of their queue time for Santa.
Admission to Zoo Atlanta is included with an event ticket, but you must reserve in advance! Tickets are required for all guests over the age of 3. Tickets are $25 for Zoo Atlanta Members; $35 for non-Members. Children 2 and under are free.
