LumiNature Returns To Philadelphia Zoo Friday

PHILADELPHIA — LumiNature is coming back to the Philadelphia Zoo Friday and will bring more than 1 million lights across the zoo.

Highlights this year include two brand-new illuminated zones, Shimmer River and LumiNature Lane, along with the return of fan favorites like Penguin Prismatic featuring a 40-foot-tall penguin glimmering with 40,000 lights, a 25-foot-tall tree made entirely of 1,500 lit flamingo lawn ornaments and so much more. At Shimmer River features a 100-foot-long tunnel filled with 4,000 lights, creating scenes from growing vines, to blooming flowers, multicolored kaleidoscopes and more.

At LumiNature Lane, local artists are lending their talents and painting 3-foot-tall paper lanterns that will beautifully shine under a canopy of lights to tell the wondrous story of LumiNature.

LumiNature runs select nights through Saturday, Jan 6, 2024.

This nighttime experience requires timed tickets. Timed tickets are available every half hour from 5 p.m. to 8: p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. depending on the visit date.

Tickets for adults ages 12 and older are $25 to $28, children ages 2 to 11 are $20 to $23, and children under 2 years old are free. Get tickets and membership information online her.

The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 W. Girard Ave. Parking is available in nearby Zoo parking lots for an additional cost.

"The holiday season is such an important time to reconnect with what’s important to us, and LumiNature Presented by PNC is designed to do just that," Philadelphia Zoo Chief Experience and Marketing Officer Amy Shearer said. "This truly magical experience will delight and inspire guests of all ages, with brand new custom-designed displays and the return of family favorites with added sparkle."

"The Philadelphia Zoo, America’s first zoo, is a shining star in our city that attracts visitors of all ages throughout the year," Joseph G. Meterchick, PNC Bank Regional President for Philadelphia, Delaware and Southern New Jersey, said. "Now, LumiNature shines a light on the wonders of the natural world around us and serves as a terrific way to welcome the wonders of the holiday season. We look forward to experiencing LumiNature with families and neighbors across our region."

New for this year, Santa will be stopping by on Dec.1, Dec. 8, and Dec. 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to take selfies with guests inside the Zoo’s Treehouse. This add on is free to zoo members. Guests can purchase a $10 ticket per group to enter the zoo’s exclusive members-only space to get their photos with Santa.

For added excitement, guests can participate in a Nature Blazers Scavenger Hunt powered by TRAKID through the 16 zones of sparkle. Wearing a smart compass, complete challenges and answer trivia questions at each stop through an interactive mobile app. This engaging add on is recommended for ages 4 and up, costs $10 per wristband and is available for purchase at the kiosk inside the main gate.