MONTGOMERY ZOO (Montgomery, AL): Christmas Lights Festival is coming back to the Montgomery Zoo for its 34th year. Running December 2nd through December 27th, this nightly festival transforms the zoo into a Winter Wonderland with thousands of twinkly lights, festive decorations, and seasonal entertainment.
Guests can stroll through the illuminated pathways or enjoy our attractions, visit Santa and the Christmas Tree Village at the Mann Museum (available nightly through December 23), and warm up with hot chocolate and cookies at the Overlook Café, which also features live entertainment on select nights.
The Montgomery Zoo is adding fresh magic to its beloved Christmas Lights Festival with two exciting themed zones. Frosty Frontier invites families into a sparkling winter wonderland filled with shimmering snowflake displays and a photo‑perfect backdrop. Safari to Santa takes guests on a colorful journey from African landscapes to the North Pole, featuring illuminated animal sculptures and the Festival’s first‑ever RGB light display. Visitors will be welcomed by the glowing Stairway to Santa, a festive pathway of arches, garlands, and a cheerful North Pole sign leading to Santa Claus himself.
Admission:
- $15 per person (ages 3+)
- Toddlers 2 and under: Free
- Montgomery Zoo members: Free
- Early Bird combo admission (daytime Zoo + evening Festival): $32 for Adults and $28 for Children (ages 3-12)
Guests are invited to join the fun by dressing up for our special theme nights, adding an extra layer of holiday spirit and community celebration to the Christmas Lights Festival.
December 5: Tacky Sweater Night, wear your wackiest holiday sweater
December 6: Sports Team Night, gear up in your team’s colors
December 12: Dress like an Animal Night, come in animal costume
December 13: Star Wars Night, dress up as your favorite character with the 501st Legion
December 19: Christmas Character Night, come as your favorite holiday icon
December 20: Cookies and Candy Cane Night, decorate yourself with stripes and sprinkles
December 24: Christmas PJ Night, wear your cozy pjs and get ready for Santa
December 26: Hawaiian Night, bring a tropical twist to the twinkly lights
December 27: Superhero Night, don your capes, masks, and more
Additional highlights include shopping opportunities at the Zoo and Museum Gift Shops and participation in the Zoo Animal Angel Tree, supporting conservation efforts locally and globally.
“Christmas Lights Festival has been a holiday mainstay for generations,” said Zoo Director, Marcia Woodard. “We look forward to welcoming families to celebrate the season with lights, music, and tradition at the Montgomery Zoo.”
Montgomery Zoo will be open during regular daytime hours, 9:30am-4:30pm. It will reopen at 5:00pm and the last ticket for Christmas Lights Festival will be sold at 9:00pm nightly.
For more information visit the Montgomery Zoo’s website:
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The Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum is a 42-acre zoological facility located minutes from the heart of historic, downtown Montgomery. The Montgomery Zoo features a variety of exotic animals native to Africa, Asia, Australia, North America, and South America. A trademark addition of the Zoo is the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum, housing the one of the Southeast’s largest collections of preserved North American wildlife, artifacts, and fossils. The Montgomery Zoo is a department of the City of Montgomery.
Daily operating hours: 9:30am – 4:30pm, with last admission at 3:30pm.
Admission: Adults $19, Children (3-12 years) $15, Toddlers (2 years and under) FREE, and Seniors 65 years old and older $17.
