ZooLights

❄ With Plan-Ahead Pricing, you pick the date and time that works best with your schedule and budget. The further in advance you purchase tickets, the more you’re likely to save!
❄ Bundle and save! Purchase a "4 Pack" for discounted admission for parties of four, ages two and up.
❄ If available, tickets will be sold at the gate.
❄ Tickets are required for children age two and older; children under age two are free.
❄ See FAQs below for more ticket and event details.

Advance registration is required. 

Step into the magic of the holidays at our Santa Experience! Share your Christmas wishes and capture a cherished moment with Santa Claus himself. Cozy up with hot cocoa and toast s'mores by our fire pits before setting out on an enchanting journey through the winter wonderland of ZooLights.

Pricing:
Tickets are required for all guests entering the Santa Experience tent, both children and adults (children under age two are free).
$45/Member | $50/Non-Member 
Tickets include a meet & greet with Santa, hot chocolate, s'mores, and ZooLights admission. Professional photos are available for purchase. Guests are welcome to take their own photo/video. 

Dates:
December 3 - 5, 10 - 12, 17 - 19, and 22

Times:
One-hour time intervals from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Timed tickets are for entrance at the top of the hour.

Location:
Maple Glen, a heated private event space located near the front entrance of the Zoo.

Online Tickets:

EBT/WIC cardholders receive discounted, $7 admission per ticket for up to four tickets. If there are more than four people aged two or older in your group, they will need to buy a full-price ticket. 

To receive the EBT/WIC discount, you will need to verify your eligibility prior to purchasing your tickets. You will be prompted to log into or create an account with ID.Me to verify your identity and EBT/WIC affiliation. For help troubleshooting the Id.me application, please visit the ID.me Help Center.

Gate Tickets: 
If purchasing tickets at the gate, please be ready to present your card at the Admissions booth upon arrival.

Offer only valid for Massachusetts residents. Limited quantities are available. If you have questions, please call 617-989-2076 and our staff will be happy to assist you. 

Book a sparkling night out with your group and save!

Purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $10 per person for groups of 20+ paying guests.

• Tickets are required for children age two and older. Children under age two are free.
• Payment is due two weeks in advance, and tickets will be mailed to you via USPS.
• We are unable to accept purchase orders or provide invoices for payment at a later date.
• Refunds for overpayments will not be issued and cannot be applied toward future trips.
• Santa Experience tickets must be purchased separately.

December 13, 5:00 p.m.: Boston Children's Chorus
Boston Children’s Chorus' vibrant, jubilant, and powerful performances have established them as leading young artists in the city of Boston and beyond. Internationally recognized for their innovative programming, passionate artistry, and ability to connect to audiences, Boston Children’s Chorus showcases the talent and passion of the diverse young people of our city.

December 18, 6:15 p.m.: Polymnia Choral Society
Enjoy the vocal stylings of the Polymnia Choral Society. The society is composed of people who love to sing and to share their music with others. Founded in Wakefield in 1953 and based in Melrose since 1956, the group serves the cultural and educational interests of a number of communities by presenting concerts ranging from sacred hymns and classical music to popular show tunes.

Host your festive gathering in our Holiday Pavilion, where guests can mix, mingle and be merry amid a wonderland of lights! Just steps from your heated Pavilion, gather by the fire to raise a toast to the season with delicious s’mores. We'll work with you to customize every detail of your event, complete with all the trimmings! 

Rental fee: Monday - Wednesday: $3,600/Thursday - Sunday: $4,500

Rental includes:

• 2.5-hour rental of the Holiday Pavilion (our recommended time frame is 4:00-6:30 p.m.)
• Enclosed heated and festively-decorated Holiday Pavilion Tent (comfortably seats 50 and holds 100 standing room)
• Outdoor fire pits and benches
• Heating towers outside of the tent
• Eight picnic tables with festive holiday table covers
• Six 6-foot catering banquet tables with black linen
• ZooLights admissions for 50 guests
• Private access between the park and Pavilion for your guests
• Setup and cleanup crew
• Free parking

Add-ons:

• Additional ZooLights tickets: $15/person
• Strike a pose in your very own photo booth and make moments last a lifetime. $550 for 2.5 hours
• Face painters, caricature artists and/or costumed characters make colorful additions to any holiday party. $200/hour per each
• S’mores kits: $8.00 /each
• Hot Chocolate Bar: $5.00 /person
• Catering by Centerplate, the Zoo’s onsite caterer. View our catering menu.
• Bar Service arranged by Centerplate. All bar service includes the cost of the following mandatory items: one-day liquor license, licensed and bonded bartender, and state police detail. Requires a minimum of one month’s advance notice.

Contact Us

For more information, contact the Events & Celebrations department:

Zoo New England
1 Franklin Park Zoo
Boston, MA 02121
Phone: 617-989-2009
Fax: 617-989-2025
Email: rentals@zoonewengland.org

Stone Zoo is pleased to offer a special, limited-time Woodland Winter Birthday Party Package for the upcoming holiday season. Celebrate with your family and friends inside the toasty Holiday Pavilion, festively decorated with evergreens, woodland creatures and other snow-loving animals. After the party, be among the first to enter the Zoo and experience ZooLights and all it has to offer!

Woodland Winter parties may be booked during the afternoon from November 17, 2023 through January 7, 2024, subject to availability. All requests for parties must be received at least three weeks in advance of the requested party date.

Package includes:

❄ Two-hour rental of our heated Holiday Pavilion Tent
❄ Outdoor fire pits and benches
❄ Heating towers outside of the Pavilion
❄ Seating for 50, plus four 6-foot banquet tables for food, gifts and party items
❄ 16 plush animals and 16 favors for children
❄ 32 themed plates, napkins and forks
❄ Themed decorations
❄ Themed table covers and centerpieces
❄ Free admission to ZooLights for the birthday child
❄ 32 admission tickets for ZooLights (children under 2 are free)
❄ Tickets for additional guests are available at the discounted flat rate of $15.00/person
❄ 30 minutes setup time and cleanup by the Zoo

Price:
$1,500 for Zoo members and $1,600 for nonmembers.

Additional Woodland Winter party enhancements are available at a separate cost:

❄ Catering Zoo Catering
❄ S’mores Kits $8/person
❄ Hot Chocolate Bar $5/person
❄ Zoodopt for the Birthday Child $35
❄ Extra Party Time $200/hour (in half hour increments)

Please note that the maximum number of guests for a Woodland Winter Birthday Party is 100.

Are you open if it's raining or snowing?

Although ZooLights is open rain or shine, more challenging weather, like very heavy rain or severe snowstorms, can result in the event being closed if guest safety is a concern. Please check our website or Facebook page before you make the trip to the zoo. Ticket holders for a cancelled event will be notified by email and automatically refunded.

Unless the event is cancelled due to inclement weather, all tickets are rain-or-shine. We encourage you to dress accordingly, or check out our gift shop for rain gear during your visit.

Are reservations required for entry to the Zoo?

Yes, reservations are required for both members and non-members.

• Members must purchase tickets. ZooLights admission is not included with membership.
• Guests with reserved tickets (printed or on phone) must check-in.
• Please make every effort to arrive at the time designated on your ticket.

How does ticket pricing work?

With Plan-Ahead Pricing, guests have the opportunity to pick the date and time that works best with their schedule and budget. The further in advance you purchase tickets, the more you’re likely to save. When you click the purple "Tickets" button, you’ll see available dates/times and the respective ticket prices. Each day’s prices are determined by a number of factors, including attendance patterns, popular holidays/events, day of the week and weather. The current price listed online will always be the most affordable option for the selected date. It is possible that the price may increase over time. We recommend buying tickets online at least 24-hours in advance. An advance purchase online ticket offers the lowest price for the date of your visit.

What are 4 Packs?

A 4 Pack offers discounted admission for parties of four, ages two and up.

Can I still buy tickets at the gate?

Buying tickets online in advance saves you time and money. If available, tickets will be sold at the gate.

I can't find my pre-purchased tickets in my email.

Use the "order lookup" function in the menu of our ticketing site for access to your tickets, or use your email platform's "search" function to search for Zoo New England. You will need to provide the email address and phone number used during purchase.

If I visit during the day, can I stay for ZooLights?

No, each day during ZooLights, the Zoo will close at 3:00 p.m., and re-open at 4:00 p.m. for the event. Guests will be asked to exit when the Zoo closes at 3:00 p.m. so staff can fully clean and prep for the evening event. Guests are welcome to return for ZooLights at 4:00 p.m., and will need to purchase separate tickets for the event.

Are Reciprocal/Military/Teacher discounts available?

Reciprocal/Military/Teacher discounts are not available for ZooLights.

Are library passes being honored?

No, library passes will not be honored for ZooLights. Guests who would like to visit during the day may use library passes.

What if I am late for my reserved time slot?

Capacity within time slots is limited. We ask that all guests make every effort to arrive on time. If you have a concern please call 617-989-2076.

What if I make a reservation and I'm unable to attend at the date/time I selected?

In order for a timed reservation system to work as best as possible, please make sure you are able to attend your reserved slot at time of purchase.

I bought the wrong tickets/timeslot. Can this be fixed?

All ticket sales are final. Due to capacity limits, we cannot reschedule or refund tickets.

Can I reserve tickets for a group?

Groups of 20 people or more are eligible to receive discounts to ZooLights. Reservations must be requested a minimum of two weeks in advance of your desired visitation date, and are based on availability. Payment must be made in advance in order to complete your reservation. Request a group reservation.

After I purchase my reservation and enter the Zoo, will my time be limited or restricted?

Each timed reservation group should have more than enough time to enjoy ZooLights, however it's important to note that most Zoo pathways will be set in a one-way direction. ZooLights closes at 9:30 p.m.

Is there a fee to park?

No, parking is free in our nearby lots.

Will I have to wait in line to enter the Zoo?

If you arrive early for your designated time slot, please wait in your vehicle until 5 minutes before your time slot.

Can I buy ZooLights tickets before my visit?

Yes. Advance tickets can be purchased and reserved online before your visit. You can reserve your tickets for a specific date and time. To make the check-in process as fast as possible, please have your barcoded tickets displayed on your phone.

Will Santa be at ZooLights?

Santa will be available on select nights for advance registration ticket holders. “Santa Experience” tickets include general admission to ZooLights. See ticket information above.

Will the rides be open?

Yes, the carousel and Jungle Fun ride are open nightly from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. Price: $4.00 per child, 2 Ride tickets for $7.00 (credit card & cash accepted). Please note: rides are weather and staff dependent. Contact Guest Services at 781-438-6321 in advance to check for availability.

How long does it take to enjoy the event?

The average ZooLights visit lasts from 1 - 1.5 hours, but can vary greatly depending on walking speed, rest breaks, etc. The Zoo is approximately 24 acres in size (please note, some exhibits are not available during ZooLights).

Will the animals be on exhibit?

Many (not all) of our animals will be on exhibit. In Yukon Creek, you can see black bears, Canada lynx and even reindeer! Please note: For the animals' health, safety and well-being, some animals may not be on exhibit due to weather, exhibit work, or veterinary care.

Will strollers or wheelchair be available for rental?

Yes, we will have single strollers available for a $5 rental fee, and double strollers available for a $7 rental fee. A limited number of standard wheelchairs are a $5 rental fee.

Will the bathrooms be open?

Yes, some bathrooms will be available. 

Will food be available for purchase?

Yes, snacks and drinks are always available in the Yukon Creek Cafe and Trading Post Gift Shop.

Can I fly a drone in the Zoo?

For the safety of our animals, drones are not allowed on Zoo grounds.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are not allowed on Zoo grounds to protect the health and safety of our animals and your pets. Fully trained service dogs trained to perform specific tasks are allowed. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.