Christmas Lights Festival
Dec 5-8 and 12-25
5:30pm – 9:30pm, last admission at 9pm

See the Montgomery Zoo transformed into a Winter Wonderland displaying thousands of sparkling and twinkling lights and festive decorations at Christmas Lights Festival. Take a leisurely stroll, a brisk train ride, or see the lights from atop the Zoofari Skylift Adventure Ride. Visit Santa, enjoy the live nightly entertainment at the Overlook Cafe, and no winter’s night would be complete without some warming hot chocolate and fresh baked cookies.

Christmas Lights Festival has been a River Region, holiday tradition and mainstay for generations. Enjoy strolling about the Zoo enjoying the lights and sounds of the holiday season. Swing by to visit Santa and get in those last minute Christmas wishes. Purchase a membership, legacy brick paver, or animal adoption for that hard to buy for person on your gift list. Or take advantage of the awesome sales in the Gift Shop for that animal lover at home.

Thank all of our Christmas Lights Festival sponsors

Cumulus Broadcasting Montgomery (WLWI 92.3, Y102, Fox 95.1 and Mix 103.3)
WSFA NBC-12
Coca Cola Montgomery
Costco Wholesale
Hodges Warehouse + Logistics
Christmas Lights Festival event hours:
— 5:30pm – 9:30pm nightly
— last admission tickets are sold at 9pm

Christmas Lights Festival event admission fees:
— Regular night time admission: $10 (ages 3 years old and older).
— Montgomery Zoo members: FREE (ages 3 years old and older). Train ride is an additional fee unless it is included in your membership.
— UNLIMITED RIDE PASS: $10, allows for unlimited train and sky lift rides during that night’s visit
— Train ride: $3 per person, per ride
— Skylift ride: $5 per person, per ride
— Visits with Santa: FREE
— Photos with Santa: $5 per photo
Attention all Zoo members. During night special events like ZooBoo and Christmas Lights Festival, no GUEST PASSES are allowed for entry. Only the people listed on the membership will be allowed entry. During ZooBoo, members receive a 50% discount on admission. During Christmas Lights Festival, members receive FREE admission; however, if their membership does not include the annual train ride pass, train rides will be an additional fee.

Early Bird Admission, visit the Zoo and Mann Museum in the afternoon and then stick around for Christmas Lights Festival that night: $25 (ages 3 years old and older). Ticket includes:entry to the Zoo and Museum during the afternoon, Christmas Lights Festival (same night), and one Christmas Lights train ride.
— If you wish to purchase DAY and NIGHT time combo admission tickets, please call our office at (334) 625-4900 or purchase your tickets on the day of your visit.
— Group admission discounts are available: $9 per person, with a group of 20 or more paying guests

Admission is FREE for all Montgomery Zoo members. If you are member and do not have the train pass, train rides will be $3 per person, per ride.
— This is the perfect time of year to purchase a Zoo membership, renew, or to purchase a membership as a gift.

Additional Christmas Lights Festival activities:
— Visit with Santa: FREE
— Keepsake picture with Santa: $5 per photo
— Sky lift ride: $5 per ride, per person
— Train ride: $3 per ride, per person
— Parakeet cove entry: FREE
— Parakeet cove feed sticks: $2 per stick
— Petting Zoo entry: FREE
— Petting Zoo feed: $2 per feed pouch
— Entertainment at Overlook Cafe: FREE
— Concessions at Overlook Cafe: Prices vary
— Gift shop: Prices vary

Overlook Cafe hours:
— During Christmas Lights Festival, the Overlook Cafe is open 11am – 9pm.

Christmas Lights Festival performers and entertainment at the Overlook Cafe. Select nights various performers and entertainment groups will help bring in the holiday spirit with the gift of dance, song, and music. Groups comprise of local schools, church organizations, clubs, dance troops, and local entertainment. It is always fun, entertaining, and a great way to help usher in the joy, lights, and sounds of the holiday season. Thank you to each of our performers.
— NOTE: The schedule may change without notice due to weather considerations.

Christmas Lights Festival volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering at Christmas Lights Festival, please contact the Zoo at (334) 625-4900, via email at zooinfo@montgomeryal.gov, or register online now. Volunteers will help serve the Zoo at

the Train Depot,
Santa’s Workshop,
Petting Zoo,
Parakeet Cove, and
the Light Stick Table.

IMPORTANT ANIMAL NOTE: Christmas Lights Festival is an evening event at the Montgomery Zoo. All zoo animals will be in their night quarters during the event.

Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum
2301 Coliseum Parkway
Montgomery, Alabama 36110