ZooLights
Stone ZooNovember 15 - January 5, 4:00 - 9:30 p.m. (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day)
Location: Stone Zoo, Stoneham, MA
Last ticket sold at 8:30 p.m.
Stone Zoo’s beloved holiday tradition returns, bringing cheer and festive fun for all this season!
Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights spanning Stone Zoo's 26 acres. Take a sparkling stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx, reindeer and more.
❄️ Visit with Santa & Meet Mrs. Claus
Add holiday magic with a meet-and-greet with Santa (Santa pricing and info here). And keep an eye out for Mrs. Claus as she strolls through the zoo, spreading holiday cheer every Thursday from 4-8pm!
❄️ Get Festive with Cookie Decorating
Decorate and purchase your own sugar or gingerbread masterpiece! Nightly, 4-9pm (weather permitting) View ingredients.(opens as a PDF)
EBT/WIC Tickets
Online Tickets:
EBT/WIC cardholders receive discounted, $9 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.
Sensory-Inclusive Night: January 2
Join us for our third annual sensory-inclusive night, designed for guests and their families who prefer a lower-intensity sensory experience. This special evening is included with standard ZooLights admission.
During the event, some aspects of the display will be deactivated and reduced to accommodate a sensory-friendly atmosphere. By lowering our music volume and reducing the brightness of our lights, Stone Zoo will create an inviting option for guests with sensory sensitivities to enjoy the excitement and beauty that ZooLights creates.
Intergalactic Night: January 4
Be transported to a galaxy far away when ZooLights celebrates Intergalactic Night! Meet costumed characters, local members of “the New England Star Wars Costume Clubs” who, with the use of their movie-quality costumes, contribute to the local community through charity and volunteer work. You're invited to join in the fun by wearing your own galactic-themed outfits for out-of-this-world photo ops.
Costumed characters will be available from 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Visit with Santa
Add a little magic to your holiday cards with a meet-and-greet with Santa! Share your Christmas wishes and capture a cherished moment with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.
Visit with Santa tickets are available on-site on select nights on a first come, first serve basis.
Full Details
Hot Chocolate with the Reindeer
Make your holiday season extra merry by reserving a spot in our Hot Chocolate with the Reindeer event!
Customize your cocoa with festive toppings from our hot chocolate bar while learning more about Holly and Aoife, our resident reindeer.
Advance online ticket purchase is required. Includes ZooLights admission.
Lights for Lions: Recycle your holiday lights with us
December 6 - January 31
Stone Zoo:
Main entrance, by the giftshop
Daily, 9am - 3pm
ZooLights, 4 - 9:30pm
Franklin Park Zoo:
Zebra entrance, Daily, 9am - 4pm
Do you have old holiday lights taking up space in your closets? We're collecting holiday lights and extension cords for our first “Lights for Lions” recycling drive! Drop off used or non-functioning strings of lights and extension cords at our recycling bins at both Zoos. Recycling proceeds support our conservation partner, Lion Landscapes, in their efforts to protect lions and their habitats.
About Lion Landscapes:
Zoo New England supports Lion Landscapes in their community-led conservation work aimed at protecting large wild carnivores threatened by human-dominated landscape. This work in Tanzania is of high-importance, as this area is considered one of the last lion strongholds.
Questions? Contact us at info@zoonewengland.org
Thank you to our recycling partner, Spiegel South Shore Scrap Metal!
Group Discounts
Book a sparkling night out for your group of 20 or more and save!
For pricing information please contact 617-379-5151 or ssharon@zoonewengland.org
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
How does ticket pricing work?
Ticket prices change daily! With Plan-Ahead Pricing, 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. 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. All ticket sales are final; we cannot reschedule or refund tickets.
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?
Once you enter the Zoo, you may stay as long as you like, however it's important to note that most Zoo pathways are set in a one-way direction. There is no re-entry. ZooLights closes at 9:30 p.m.
Is there a fee to park?
No, parking is free in our nearby lots.
Will Santa be at ZooLights?
Take your own photos with Santa Monday - Wednesday, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m, Nov. 25 - Dec. 18. Cost: $20 for a group of four, $5 for each additional guest. Tickets are available on-site on a first come, first serve basis.
Will the rides be open?
The Carousel & Jungle Fun ride ($4/ride, children only) and Virtual Reality Experience ($7/ride) are open nightly during ZooLights. Credit card, Apple Pay and cash accepted. Rides are weather and staff dependent. To check availability, please contact Stone Zoo Guest Services at 781-438-6321.
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?
We suggest a daytime visit if you want to see all of our animals. However, many (not all) of our animals will be on exhibit during ZooLights. 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, single strollers and wheelchairs are available for a $5 rental fee, and double strollers for $7. Rentals are available on a first come first serve basis.
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. View map
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. Please note, per MA state law, pets should not be left in your car while you visit.
Holiday Gift Guide
Find the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list with Zoo New England! Every purchase helps support our Zoos, so you can give a gift that makes a difference. Explore our gift guide and spread the joy of giving this season.