PNC Festival of Lights

Member's ONLY Preview - Wednesday, November 25, 5pm - 9pm

Special Preview Night Activities:

• Official Tree-Lighting Ceremony with Santa - 6:00pm - 6:15pm at Historic Vine Street Village
• PNC's Grow Up Great Program - Donate a new, unwrapped children's book to benefit PNC's Grow Up Great Program. Books can be dropped off at Historic Vine Street Village. All books will be given to children in local Head Start programs so they receive a meaningful gift this holiday season

Half Price Nights and Other Discounts for Festival of Lights

Half Price Nights (****Other discounts not valid during Half Price Nights.)

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

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.

Happy Zoo Year!!!

Thursday, December 31, 5pm - 9pm

Ring 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 holds its own New Years Eve Bash. Special activities include:

• New Years Eve Madcap Puppet Show
• Meet Baby Zoo Year and Father Time
• EARLY Zoo Year count down with party favors and fireworks at 8:45 p.m.

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!

Light Up a Child's Eyes

Donate a new children's book during PNC Festival of Lights and receive a FREE ticket to the Zoo.

PNC Grow Up Great Pre-K Book Drive - December 4-5 & 11-12

There is nothing quite like watching the eyes of a child light up with wonder when a new storybook is opened. During PNC Festival of Lights guests are invited to bring a new unwrapped children's book with them to PNC's Grow Up Great program. For each book donated, guests will receive a free ticket to the Zoo* to be used on a return visit. All books will be given to children in local Head Start programs so they receive a meaningful gift this holiday season. Books should be appropriate for kids up to five years old.

Books can be dropped off at the Zoo's Historic Vine Street Village in the designated bins staffed by PNC Bank volunteers.

*Visitors donating a book will receive a free ticket, up to four total based on number of books donated, to be used for a return visit any time from January 4 through March 31, 2010.

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 >