PNC Festival of Lights

PNC Festival of Lights is open now through January 3, 5pm - 9pm

festival of lights cincinnati zoocincinnati magazine"Best in the City 2009" - Best Dark Deed as recognized by Cincinnati Magazine.

Come and enjoy the 27th year of the PNC Festival of Lights, the region's largest and most anticipated holiday event.This year we continue to "glow green" as we add more color and lights around the Zoo!

Santa will be heading back to the North Pole and will not be here after December 23rd.

Returning this year will be "Winter Wonders" by Madcap Puppet Theatre, the Rappin' Elves, storytelling by Mrs. Claus, reindeer, animal character Meet & Greets, train rides and much, much more! Don't miss The Polar Express™ 4-D Experience or Glacier Run, now playing in our 4-D Special FX Theater.

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Individual Tickets for
PNC Festival of Lights
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Group Tickets for
PNC Festival of Lights

happy zoo year

Additional Festival Information:

  • Happy Zoo Year!
  • Discounts
  • Interactive Map
  • Shopping
  • FAQs

Happy Zoo Year!!!

Thursday, December 31, 5pm - 9pm

happy zoo yearRing in the Zoo Year with a bunch of "party animals"! Kids of all ages are invited to ring in the Zoo Year at the Cincinnati Zoo for an early New Year's Eve Bash. Special activities include:

  • New Year's Eve Madcap Puppet Show
  • Meet Baby Zoo Year and Father Time
  • EARLY Zoo Year countdown with party favors and
    fireworks at 8:45 p.m.
  • All PNC Festival of Lights activities will be open from 5pm - 9pm.

Discounts for Festival of Lights

Pepsi

Receive $3 Off Adult and Child admission when you bring a specially marked Pepsi or Diet Pepsi can.  Valid for up to 4 admissions.

LaRosa’s Boxtoppers

Receive $3 Off Adult and $2 Off Child admission when you bring a specially marked LaRosa’s Boxtopper.  Valid for up to 4 admissions.

Interactive Map of PNC Festival of Lights Highlights - Move your pointer around the map to get more information on what's happening and what's for dinner! Use the + and - to zoom in and out and click and drag to move the map. Click here to open map in a larger window.

 

Holiday Shopping that Supports Your Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden!

Give the gift of a Cincinnati Zoo Membership! Let us wrap up the sights and sounds of one of the world's finest zoos for you! Zoo memberships make a great and easy holiday gift! Stop by Member Services and purchase your gift today!

Holiday A.D.O.P.T. A.D.O.P.T. your favorite animal and give the PURR-fect gift this holiday season.
Your donation will help support the feeding and care of our animals and you will have a fun gift to give your friend or loved one for the holidays.

Brush in the Trunk! Our resident elephant artists are ready to paint a masterpiece for you or a loved one this holiday season! Order from Brush in the Trunk just in time for the holidays!

Rhino Rembrandts! Using their semi-prehensile lips, the Zoo’s rhinos, create one-of-a-kind original paintings. By purchasing a painting, you will be supporting rhino conservation worldwide and making the holidays extra special to someone on your list this season! Order Yours Today!

Rhino Ornaments! Purchase your limited-edition rhinoceros “painted” ornament at the Cincinnati Zoo gift shop for the rhino-lover in your family! Proceeds will be used to purchase “toys” for the Zoo ’s animal collection.  Each ornament is unique, and comes with a photograph of a painting session and card describing the benefits of animal enrichment. 

A Gift for Conservation! Purchase an African Violet Test Tube Plant for that special Horticulture enthusiast in your family today!

Cincinnati Zoo Gift Shop Items! Gifts for the young and young at heart are found waiting inside! Take home your favorite cuddly Zoo animal, a book to share, a fleece to wear and other unique gifts!

Zoosters Craft Treasure House! Choose from one-of-a-kind hand-made gifts and ornaments! Located in Wolf Woods in the Spaulding Children's Zoo!

PNC Festival of Lights FAQs

Q. Can I purchase tickets in advance?

A. Admission and package tickets are available for purchase online. Half price tickets must be purchased on site.

Q. How much does it cost to attend?

A. PNC Festival of Lights is free with regular zoo admission. Regular zoo admission rates and packages apply. Discounts are available. Click the "Discounts" tab above for more information.

Q. When are half price nights?

A. Receive Half Off Adult and Child Admission November 30,
December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9,14,15,16 2009 ONLY.
*Half Price Tickets cannot be purchased online and other discounts are not valid with 1/2 price tickets. Parking is regular price and is not included in ticket price.

Q. Do Zoo members pay an additional fee to attend PNC Festival of Lights?

A. No. Members are welcome any time the Zoo is open. In addition, Members are invited to attend a special preview on November 25, the night before PNC Festival of Lights opens to the public.

Q. When is the best time to visit?

A. The Zoo opens at 9am daily, and the PNC Festival of Lights runs from 5pm - 9pm nightly. You can enjoy the Zoo before dark and stay for the lights. There is no additional fee to attend the PNC Festival of Lights.

The same great entertainment is offered on weekdays and weekends. Weeknights (Mon - Thurs) are great nights to come to the Zoo and are generally less crowded than weekends. On weekends, Sundays are less crowded than Saturdays. The weekends before and after Christmas are our busiest.

Q. Where do I park?

 

The Zoo has various parking lots. The main lot is located at 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220. Directional signs will guide you to open lots. Learn more about Directions and Parking >