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The zoo’s entrance lanterns by dayOfficial image
Official imageOakland Zoo official event photo

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Glowfari at Oakland Zoo: giant animal lanterns after dark

Timed-entry lantern walk; Santa nightly before Christmas

Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari runs on evenings from Nov 6 to Jan 31, 2027: giant animal and nature lanterns rather than a night visit to the animals. Entry is by timed ticket between 4:30pm and 6:30pm, entrances close at 7:30pm and everyone leaves by 9pm. From Nov 20 to Dec 23, Santa is in the Rides Area nightly, 6–9pm.

Before you go

  • Tickets go on sale Oct 20: members at 9 am, everyone else at noon. After that each date goes on sale 28 days ahead, and earlier purchases cost less; tickets are non-refundable and cannot be moved to another date.

  • Closed Nov 9, 10, 16, 17 and 26, Dec 24 and 25, and Jan 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26.

  • Daytime tickets do not cover Glowfari, and daytime guests leave before it opens.

  • Hot chocolate and snacks are sold inside.

Source and checks

Official source Oakland Zoo (Glowfari) · Source checked
How we check

Photo: Official Oakland Zoo event photo, taken by day and undated; not the lanterns lit at night.

Photo credits on this page (2)

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