News and Stories

The lights will shine bright through January 9

CINCINNATI, OH (January 4, 2022) – The holiday spirit is still alive at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden! PNC Festival of Lights, voted Best Zoo Lights in the country four years in a row, runs through January 9, 2022.

“It’s not too late to celebrate,” said Cincinnati Zoo special events manager Kim Denzler. “Members can enjoy PNC Festival of Lights as many times as they like, so this bonus week allows them more opportunities to do so.  It’s also great for people who want to keep the joy of the season going!”

The spectacular lights, 4 million of them, are the main attraction during PNC Festival of Lights. Visitors coming to see animals should come earlier in the day or visit indoor habitats such as World of the Insect, Manatee Springs, and Night Hunters during the evening hours. The Zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m.

Penguin Days, presented by U.S. Bank, starts on January 10 and runs through March 11. The Zoo offers discounted admission during the colder months and features cold-weather-loving animals. Catch Penguin Parades January 14 – February 28, Friday – Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and Holiday Mondays (January 17 & February 21).

Recycle Your Lights at the Zoo:

The Zoo is collecting unwanted/broken holiday lights to recycle. You can drop your lights in a bin at the bus stop by the Zoo’s main parking lot. Through a partnership with Cohen Recycling, the Zoo will receive $0.44/pound of lights, which will be reinvested into making PNC Festival of Lights even better next year! The bin will be in place through the end of January.