Glow Wild – A Holiday Lantern Festival for Everyone!

The Birmingham Zoo is thrilled to announce the return of its dazzling holiday tradition, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, beginning November 21, 2026, and continuing on select nights through January 3, 2027. Presented by CHASE with support from Baptist Health, this larger-than-life experience invites guests of all ages to explore a breathtaking winter wonderland filled with light, color, and joy.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE

Glow Wild 2026 promises more than one million lights, hundreds of handcrafted lanterns, and brand-new installations to make this holiday season brighter than ever. Visitors will enjoy a mile-long outdoor journey through vibrant lantern displays celebrating the beauty of the natural world—from deep-sea creatures to soaring birds and everything in between.

Event Highlights

• Lantern Trails: Stroll through a mile of artisan-crafted lanterns showcasing the diversity of nature in radiant color.
• Seasonal Treats: Savor festive snacks and drinks, including hot cocoa (spiked for guests 21+), apple cider, and classic Zoo treats like s’mores and churros.
• Holiday Village: Step into a cheerful Holiday Village with Santa visits, carolers, and photo ops. Check BirminghamZoo.com for schedule.
• Magical Rides: Hop aboard the Red Diamond Express Train for a twinkling ride through the Zoo.
• Wild Explorer VR: Don’t miss the limited-time virtual reality adventure “Elf Power, Inc.” at the Zoo’s Wild Explorer VR Experience.

Santa

See Santa at your Birmingham Zoo on select nights of Glow Wild from 5:30-7:30 PM.

• November 27, 28, & 29

• December 12, 19, 20, 21, 22, & 23

Glow Wild Schedule – 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. 

✨Member Preview Night is Friday, November 20th from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

✨Kulture City Night is a sensory-friendly experience on December 2nd from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

✨Adults Only (18+) Night is Thursday, December 3rd. PURCHASE ADULTS ONLY NIGHT TICKETS HERE. 

Animal Visibility

The focus of Glow Wild is on our lights and beautiful hand-crafted lanterns. While most of the Zoo’s animals head indoors after dark, some—including flamingos and elephants—may have access to their outdoor habitats during Glow Wild, depending on weather conditions. For a full day of animal encounters, guests are encouraged to visit during regular daytime hours.

Plan Your Visit

Event Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM* (last tickets sold at 8:00 PM for standard Glow Wild nights)

• *Member Preview Night- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on November 20th
• *Kulture City Night- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on December 2nd

Tickets: Advance ticket purchase strongly recommended due to limited nightly capacity.

Weather: Glow Wild will not be open on rainy nights for everyone’s safety. Updates will be posted online and on social media. Tickets purchased for a closed night can be used on another night during Glow Wild.

Advanced Ticket Pricing (includes 10% tax)

• Adult: $25
• Child (2-12): $16
• Member- Adult: $19
• Member- Child (2-17): $12

For information about group tickets (groups of 15+), contact groups@birminghamzoo.com.

Walk-Up Ticket Pricing (includes 10% tax)

• Adult: $27
• Child (2-12): $17
• Member- Adult: $21
• Member- Child (2-17): $14

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE

See below the dates we are open for Glow Wild in 2026/2027! Yellow = Open.