Glow Wild – A Holiday Lantern Festival for Everyone!
Glow Wild – A Holiday Lantern Festival for Everyone!
The Birmingham Zoo is thrilled to announce the return of its dazzling holiday tradition, Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, beginning November 21, 2026, and continuing on select nights through January 3, 2027. Presented by CHASE, this larger-than-life experience invites guests of all ages to explore a breathtaking winter wonderland filled with light, color, and joy.
Glow Wild 2026 promises more than one million lights, hundreds of handcrafted lanterns, and brand-new installations to make this holiday season brighter than ever. Visitors will enjoy a mile-long outdoor journey through vibrant lantern displays celebrating the beauty of the natural world—from deep-sea creatures to soaring birds and everything in between.
Event Highlights
- Lantern Trails: Stroll through a mile of artisan-crafted lanterns showcasing the diversity of nature in radiant color.
- Seasonal Treats: Savor festive snacks and drinks, including hot cocoa (spiked for guests 21+), apple cider, and classic Zoo treats like s’mores and churros.
- Holiday Village: Step into a cheerful Holiday Village with Santa visits, carolers, and photo ops. Check BirminghamZoo.com for schedule.
- Magical Rides: Hop aboard the Red Diamond Express Train for a twinkling ride through the Zoo.
- Wild Explorer VR: Don’t miss the limited-time virtual reality adventure “Elf Power, Inc.” at the Zoo’s Wild Explorer VR Experience.
Glow Wild Schedule – 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Member Preview Night is Friday, November 20th from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Adults Only (18+) Night is Thursday, December 3rd. Purchase your tickets for Adults Only Night here.
Animal Encounters at Night: While most of the Zoo’s animals head indoors after dark, some—including flamingos, elephants, and the lion—may have access to their outdoor habitats during Glow Wild, depending on weather conditions. For a full day of animal encounters, guests are encouraged to visit during regular daytime hours.
Plan Your Visit
Event Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM* (last tickets sold at 8:00 PM for standard Glow Wild nights)
- *Member Preview Night- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM on November 20th
- *Kulture City Night- 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on December 2nd
Tickets: Advance ticket purchase strongly recommended due to limited nightly capacity.
Weather: Glow Wild will not be open on rainy nights for everyone’s safety. Updates will be posted online and on social media. Tickets purchased for a closed night can be used on another night during Glow Wild.
Advanced Ticket Pricing (includes 10% tax)
- Adult: $25
- Child (2-12): $16
- Member- Adult: $19
- Member- Child (2-17): $12
For information about group tickets (groups of 15+), contact groups@birminghamzoo.com.
Walk-Up Ticket Pricing (includes 10% tax)
- Adult: $27
- Child (2-12): $17
- Member- Adult: $21
- Member- Child (2-17): $14
Venue
One of the state’s most popular attractions, the Birmingham Zoo, is an ever-evolving adventure. Guests come from around the Southeast to see animals such as red pandas, lion, giraffes, orangutans, rhinos, bears, elephants, zebras, a jaguar, and many more. From Trails of Africa to the Children’s Zoo and everything in-between, the Birmingham Zoo features animals from all over the world.
The Birmingham Zoo is also host to a multitude of events thanks to its unique facilities and ability to host events for groups of 20 to 2,500! It is the perfect place for meetings, weddings, picnics, and corporate parties. Whether you are looking for fun finger foods or an elegant, sit-down dinner, our on-site catering staff will make sure that you and your guests are completely satisfied. The Birmingham Zoo offers a one-of-a-kind experience with our animal encounters, scavenger hunts, breathtaking views, and much more. There is no doubt that every event at The Birmingham Zoo will be one to remember
The Zoo also offers event extras including animal demonstrations, greetings, and walkabouts.
Birmingam Zoo
2630 Cahaba Road
Birmingham, AL 35223
205-879-0409