Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden®

Home of the world famous hippo Fiona. Family friendly Zoo committed to inspiring visitors with wildlife and saving species.

PNC Festival of Lights

amanada and raven posing for selfie in front of a lit up snowflake
Main Entrance during festival of lights
new green electric zoo train going across swan lake
festival of lights family in a sled posing for photo
knolly and marco talking to santa claus
Giraffe and Zebra Lanterns festival of lights

The Cincinnati Zoo will still be shining bright as we’re once again transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 40th annual PNC Festival of Lights!  Come early for more animals and stay for the lights!

In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show,  marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands.

Ring in the New Year at the Cincinnati Zoo with PNC Festival of Lights and a kid-friendly, early countdown!

Book your holiday party at the Zoo!

Purchase Tickets

Event HighLIGHTs

Dates and Times

November 18, 2022 – January 8, 2023

Zoo Hours during PNC Festival of Lights:

Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm

Friday – Saturday – 10am – 10pm

  • Festival of Lights activities begin at 4pm
  • No additional charge. This event is included with Zoo Admission.
  • Visit the Zoo early for more animals and stay for the lights!

Santa’s Village

Visit with Santa in Santa’s Village nightly at 4pm through December 23!

Sponsored by:

MadCap Winter Wonders

Don’t miss nightly performances at 6:30pm, 7:30pm, and 8:30pm at the  Amphitheater

North Polar Express Train Tunnel

The North Polar Express Train will be equipped with a longer-than-ever light tunnel to make your ride extra bright! North Polar Express train ride begins at 2:30pm. (Additional charges apply for non-members)

Sponsored by:

superior

S’mores-n-More

Roast a marshmallow over an open fire.

  • Wonder at the 4 million LED lights throughout the Zoo
  • Roaming characters beginning at 5pm nightly
  • Santa & Mrs. Claus & All other character visits begin at 4pm
  • Families will enjoy searching for Fiona fairy statues in Fiona’s Fairyland
  • Guests will enjoy the immersive “Under the Sea” area.
  • 30 larger than life Animal Lanterns located throughout the Zoo
  • Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake
  • Meet costume characters beginning at 4pm
    • Please note that adult guests in full character costumes, such as Santa suits, Grinch costumes, etc may not be admitted into the Zoo
  • Ride the North Polar Express Train Ride daily starting at 2:30pm (additional charges apply)
  • Roast Smore’s at the Smore’s Stations
  • Enjoy freshly roasted nuts and other holiday treats
  • See animals inside multiple indoor heated buildings
  • Happy Zoo Year celebration on Dec 31
  • Share your PNC Festival of Lights pictures on social media using #cincyzoopic for a chance to be featured in future Zoo marketing material!

Please note: The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving (November 24th, Christmas Eve (December 24th), and Christmas Day (December 25th).

Photo Opp Spots & Elfie Selfies

Pose for Instagram-worthy photos in front of our many photo opp areas.

Sponsored by:

Scavenger Hunt

Happy Zoo Year

Guests are invited to ring in the New Year at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. “Party Animals” of all ages invited to celebrate the 14th annual Happy ZOO Year powered by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers. This New Years bash will take place at the Zoo on Saturday, December 31.

More info

Happy Zoo Year Powered By:

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Bright Tips

These tips will help you maximize your holiday experience!

Visit Early to See Animals

To avoid crowds, we recommend visitng weeknights!

PNC Festival of Lights is all about… the LIGHTS! Our Zoo animals usually head indoors around 5pm or sooner so make sure to come early and stay for the lights if you’re hoping to see animals!

Reptile House, Manatee Springs, World of Insect, Jungle Trails West, Dragons, Night Hunters, and Education will be open during PNC Festival of Lights.

Wings of the World, indoor elephant habitat, Jungle Trails East will be closed during PNC Festival of Lights.

See more details about what is going on during your Zoo visit*.

*weather permitting 

Sensory Santa

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Zoo Access for All program is designed to encourage families and individuals of all backgrounds to visit our world-class organization to build lifelong and multi-generational memories.

Sensory Santa dates are SOLD OUT. Please contact [email protected] to be added to the waitlist or to modify your reservation.

PNC Festival of Lights Social Narrative

Sensory Santa Social Narrative

Sensory Santa Sponsored by:

Dress for Cold Weather & Bring a Blanket

Dress warm! You can always shed a layer!

Know How to Get to the Zoo

Our parking lot address is: 3427 Vine Street

Our street address is: 3400 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220. Directions > 

Memberships make Great Gifts

Give the gift that keeps giving! Renew, purchase or gift a membership! The holidays are a peak time for membership gifts and renewals!

Membership Information

Zoo Map

When you’re at the Zoo, find your destination with our interactive mobile app with blue dot technology!

Zoo Parking

The main Zoo lot is open!  It’s located at 3427 Vine Street. 

Visitors may enter the Zoo using the Pavilion Entry Building from the Main Parking Lot, equipped with stairs & elevators to get to bridge level or park in the lot on Erkenbrecher Ave and walk across the new bridge that takes you to the entrance. Safe and convenient!

During busy Festival of Lights nights, additional parking lots are opened as needed, so please follow signs and staff directions to one of our overflow options:

  • Vine Lot 3427 Vine St
  • Erkenbrecher Lot 3301 Euclid Ave and for
  • Dury Lot 3292 Dury Ave

You can charge your electric vehicle at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! We have 8 charging ports in our main Vine St. parking lot. The charging stations are provided by Electrada and can be used with FLO or ChargePoint apps, and also appear on Plugshare.

Food Options

Warm-up with a variety of holiday treats available throughout the park including a new specialty Hot Hippo Drink!

Hops: Located in the Vine Street Village, near Roo Valley. Loaded Funnel Fries with seasonal toppings and dipping sauces. Come for the sweets, stay for the craft beers on tap!

Sweet Retreat: Located in The Grove.  Funnel cakes, pretzels, ann S’mores Kits to roast by The Grove fire pit!

The Coop: Located in The Grove. Try our delicious Chicken Poutine or hand-breaded chicken tenders.

S’mores N’ More: Located in Vine Street Entry Village. Feel the warmth over an open fire while roasting marshmallows. Purchase a single s’more or a family pack of s’mores (feeds a family of 4), hot chocolate, and caramel corn. Presented by WellNow Urgent Care

Taco Caja: This stand will be transformed into Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, a wintery snack haven including deep-fried PB&Js and deep-fried Oreos!

Wild Burger:  Located in The Grove. Grab dinner at Wild Burger with offerings like our Smash Burger, mini corn dogs, or try the vegetarian-friendly Wild Wild West Burger.  Loaded fries are also available here with toppings of bacon, cheddar, and ranch.

LaRosa’s:  Support our local pizzeria and order cheese or pepperoni pizza, garlic & cheese breadsticks, fresh fountain soda, and hot chocolate.

Canopy Canteen: A delightful oasis next to LaRosa’s, Canopy Canteen is the place for Icees, soft pretzels, fountain sodas, and refreshing craft and domestic beers.

Cup + Cone: Located inside Mai Thai’s Market. Feeling too warm? Cool off with a scoop or two of ice cream. Choose from twelve of Graeter’s most popular flavors and plenty of toppings to go along with it. Enjoy hot chocolate, espresso drinks, traditional or loaded beignets, cinnamon roasted almonds, caramel corn, or cookies and other seasonal favorites.

Tuskers: Located across from the Base Camp Café. Enjoy sweet cinnamon sugar pretzels or hot chocolate and add some “Holiday Cheer”.  Or pick up a delicious Funnel Cake loaded with wonderful toppings!

Base Camp Café: Want to skip the line?  Base Camp Café will be available for mobile ordering each night till 8pm. Order online or in person from a selection of great dinner options including LaRosa’s Pizza, Chicken Tenders, Burgers, Salads, and more.

Candy Cane Cottage: Located next to the Base Camp Café. Get warmed up with gourmet hot chocolates, beignets, and cinnamon roasted almonds.

Twisted Tracks:  Located next to the train station, Twisted Tracks is a great place for an icy cold beer, Icees, or a delicious soft pretzel – cinnamon sugar, salted or our seasonal Nutella Cherry Bites!

Outpost Cafe in Mai Thai’s Marketplace: Stop in at the new Outpost Café for lunch with some of the classic Cincinnati Flavors.

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