Glowfari Lantern Festival at Oakland Zoo

November 2024 - January 2025

Glowfari Is Back! A Wildly Illuminating Lantern Festival!

Glowfari is a wildly popular, family-friendly experience that features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo's commitment to conservation.

This year’s experience features new themes - take a float down Africa's longest river, the Nile to view wading wildlife and ancient Egyptian structures, a trip to the farm to visit barnyard favorites like cows, chicken, and sheep, a hike up the highest peaks to visit animals at the top of the world like ibex and alpaca, and a return to the past to see dinosaurs take over the California trail.

Finish your experience with a train ride through an Avian Odyssey, with our winged, feathered friends from parrots to puffins!

Glowfari Dates & Hours:

November 8-10, 13-17, 20-27, 29-30, 2024 | December 1-23, 26-31, 2024 | January 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 2025

Glowfari is open to all ages from 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM.

Glowfari Schedule 2024/25

Glowfari Tickets & Pricing:

The Zoo has enabled a plan-ahead pricing ticketing system. Plan-ahead pricing allows you to book your zoo visit in advance while keeping your budget and schedule in mind. Please note that ticket prices may vary nightly. The closer you book to the date of your visit, the higher the ticket price may be. To ensure that you get the best ticket price for your visit, we recommend that you book your tickets as far in advance as possible.

Members: 10% discount
Children Under 2: Free
Parking: Free

Tips and Additional Information for visiting Glowfari:

All Glowfari tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE.
Glowfari tickets roll on sale online 28 days in advance of each visit date at 9:00am each day. For example, on November 1, tickets will be available for November 1-November 29. Click here for a helpful guide to find out when tickets go on sale for the date you would like to visit.
This event can be considered photosensitive. Guests who are prone to seizures or have light sensitivity should be aware.
Glowfari is an outdoor winter event, so it may be cold and wet. Please dress with the winter weather in mind to ensure your enjoyment. Umbrellas are permitted in the Zoo. If the Zoo must close Glowfari due to inclement weather or for any other reason, an email will be proactively sent to all guests who have purchased tickets and full refunds will be issued.
Proceeds from Glowfari support Oakland Zoo’s operating expenses, animal care, education and conservation programs.
Important information regarding specific hours for rides, restaurants, gondola, and retail below in FAQs. Restaurant/snack spot, gift shop, and rides hours and availability are subject to change.

Think Oakland First this Holiday Season!