Boston Lights Event Venue Rental
August 14 - November 8
Looking to celebrate a milestone or gather your team for an unforgettable night out? Elevate your evening with a private tent rental at Boston Lights—an immersive experience where rainforest canopy meets ocean depths in a spectacle of glowing artistry!
Hosting a birthday bash? Visit our Birthday page.
During Boston Lights, private events are held in our Nature’s Pavilion Tent, a 40x60 tent with flooring and clear, movable sidewalls located within the Zoo's Nature's Neighborhood. This tent can seat up to 240 guests, and additional seating is possible outside of the tent.
A Boston Light Event Rental includes
- Exclusive access to the entire Nature's Neighborhood venue for three hours during the run of Boston Lights, 6-9 pm, Aug. 14 – Sept. 30 and 5- 8pm, Oct. 1 – Nov. 8
- A 30-minute period prior to the event for any set up you would like to do starting
- Tables and seating for your guests (set up by the Zoo);
- Tables and black linens for catering;
- Plastic table covers for dining tables;
- Event staff liaison;
- Clean up and removal of trash/recycling by the Zoo;
- Guest access to Boston Lights until it closes at 10:30 PM; and
- Free parking.
Rate
$4,000
The Zoo offers a 10% discount off this rental rate for non-profit entities and Zoo members.
Event Timing and Guest Access
To prepare for Boston Lights each afternoon, the Zoo closes between 5:00PM and 6:00PM between August 14 and September 30. Your guests will be allowed to check in for the event at 5:30PM, but they must remain in Nature’s Neighborhood until Boston Lights opens at 6:00PM. After 6:00PM, only your guests have access to Nature’s Neighborhood. Your guests are welcome to enjoy Boston Lights after your event until the Zoo closes at 10:30PM. (From October 1 through November 8, the Zoo will close between 4:00PM and 5:00PM to prepare for Boston Lights.)
Boston Lights Event Admission Fees
Admissions fee for Boston Lights are not included in the Boston Lights Event Venue Rental and must be purchased in addition to the venue rental. The admission rate is $18/person.
As Boston Lights is a specially ticketed event, Boston Lights admissions must also be purchased for Zoo members. Children under the age of 2, however, may enter Boston Lights at no cost.
Optional Boston Lights Event Enhancements
- Face Painter - $200/hour
- Caricature Artist - $200/hour
- Airbrush Tattoo Artist - $250/hour
- Photo Booth - Rates vary/please inquire
- Disc Jockey - Rates vary/please inquire
Catering
Catering Sodexo Live! is the Zoo’s exclusive caterer and provides all food, beverage and bar service for private events. Outside catering is not permitted. Sodexo is able to accommodate most allergies and dietary restrictions.
Sodexo's Catering Manager will be your contact for all food, beverages and bar service. Sodexo requires its own contract and will invoice you separately. If you have additional questions, Sodexo can be reached at SodexoCatering@zoonewengland.org.
The Zoo offers food and alcohol for sale to all during Boston Lights.
Animal Visibility
During Boston Lights, the Zoo’s animals are not on exhibit.
The animals residing inside Nature’s Neighborhood, however, will remain on exhibit for the earlier hours of an event. At the same time, animals inside Nature’s Neighborhood may not be viewable due to animal choice, changes in the animal collection, weather conditions and actions to promote the health and well-being of the animals.
Important Boston Lights Event Rental Information
Reservation
A non-refundable payment of 100% of your venue rental fee and a signed contract are required to secure your event on our calendar. The rental fee must be received no later than thirty (30) days prior to the event date. The Zoo will consider an event cancelled, and services will not be provided, if a payment and signed contract are not received by that date.
The final balance for the event, including enhancements, admissions and any other accrued equipment or vendor charges, will be billed after your event and will be payable within ten (10) business days of your receipt of the invoice.
Rain or Shine/Cancellation Policy
Absent a safety issue and/or severe weather causing the Zoo to close, events take place Rain or Shine (rain or light snow is not severe weather). The Zoo will not transfer your guests’ admission tickets to another date unless the Zoo closes. If the Zoo closes, ZNE will provide a full refund of the payments made to date. Otherwise, all fees paid are non-refundable.
Smoking
To ensure the health of our guests, animals and staff, the Zoo is smoke-free and tobacco-free. This includes e-cigarettes and vaping of any substance. Guests will be asked to put out their smoke and may be escorted from the premises for noncompliance.
Accessibility
All parking areas and walkways to Nature’s Neighborhood and Franklin Farm are wheelchair accessible. The Zoo has traditional and motorized scooters available for rent for an additional fee. The Event coordinator can assist with these arrangements. Service dogs are welcome at the Zoo.
Questions?
Contact us at 617-989-2009 or rentals@zoonewengland.org.
