Glowfari Lights Up the Night at the Oakland Zoo

The Oakland Zoo is the place to be this holiday season for the return of Glowfari, a family-friendly outdoor experience that features hundreds of giant, glowing, LED-illuminated animal lanterns throughout the zoo. We had a chance to check out this year's Glowfari last weekend, and it was an amazing, magical, nighttime experience that everyone in the family will enjoy! It's also totally different than previous years' versions, with all-new lanterns depicting Oakland landmarks, the world of bugs, animals of the African savanna, life under the sea, and more. Glowfari is open now and on view through January 25, 2026.

Enter the zoo and take a mile-long walk through an array of dazzling illuminated lanterns depicting plants and animals ranging from life-size giraffes, antelopes, and bears to larger-than-life birds, fish, insects, and flowers to depictions of Oakland landmarks like the Fox Theater, the Tribune Building and Children's Fairyland. Many of the lanterns are animated too, moving realistically and changing color as you watch.

Make sure you board one of the zoo's lighted gondolas to travel up the hill behind the zoo to visit the California Trail area, where you can explore the undersea world. The nighttime ride up on the gondola is always a thrill, and the views of the lights of Oakland and the entire Bay Area are unforgettable, too.

Our favorite part of this year's Glowfari was the Future of Oakland section, with lanterns depicting local Easy Bay landmarks, animals, trees, flowers, and even iconic sights like a life-size BART train. It's really spectacular and truly unlike anything they've had on display at Glowfari before! There's so much to see packed into this area that you need to go through it several times to take it all in.

On your way out, head to the Adventure Landing rides area, where you can board the zoo's Outback Express train and experience the reptile world. Santa Claus himself will be there in his lighted geodesic dome for visits during the month of November and December 1–23 from 6 to 9 pm. (Santa's schedule is subject to change and weather permitting.)

Glowfari is really an incredible experience, and you'll find new and more wonderful surprises around every corner. We had a great time exploring the zoo at night and marveling at all the colorful and brilliant lanterns. It's a highly recommended holiday experience for everyone in the family! To learn more about Glowfari and the Oakland Zoo and to reserve your tickets, visit www.oaklandzoo.org.

If You Go

Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo is open now through January 25, 2026. Glowfari takes place in the evenings from 4:30–9 pm.

Timed and dated tickets are required; ticket prices vary depending on the night and how far in advance you buy them. Oakland Zoo members receive a 10% discount. Parking is included. Tickets will go on sale on a rolling basis 28 days before the entry date. Advance tickets are required for all visitors. Order your tickets online.

Glowfari takes place entirely outside, so make sure you dress warmly and wear good walking shoes. Strollers, wheelchairs, and electric mobility scooters are available for rent. The zoo's restaurants, snack spots, and gift shop will be open during Glowfari. Zoo animals will not be on view during Glowfari.

The Oakland Zoo is located at 9777 Golf Links Road in Oakland 94605. To get there from Marin, take Highway 101 to Highway 580 in San Rafael and head east over the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge. Follow 580 through the MacArthur Maze to Oakland and follow the signs for 580 East Downtown Oakland/Hayward/Stockton. Continue on 580 until you reach the Golf Links Road exit (Exit 29A). Turn left onto Golf Links Road and then right into the Oakland Zoo and follow the road to the parking area.