Zoo Atlanta
October 21, 2026
The wonders of IllumiNights at the Zoo presented by Georgia Power return to light up the holiday season this November. Tickets are now on sale for the signature lantern festival, which opens on November 21, 2026, and continues through January 17, 2027. IllumiNights is made possible with support from Beacon Sponsor Huntington Bank.
After dark, guests will discover a nighttime wonderland on a mile-long stroll glowing with hundreds of artisan-crafted lanterns celebrating the pageantry, biodiversity, and spectacular flora and fauna of the natural world. New lanterns are introduced each year for fresh experiences and new holiday memories.
Adding to the festive atmosphere will be warm beverages such as cocoa (signature holiday cocktails available for ages 21 and up); classic marshmallow roasts; one-of-a-kind photo-ops; and magical rides on the Endangered Species Carousel. Festival-inspired snacks and meal options will be available at select concession locations.
The lanterns are the wildlife at IllumiNights, as most animals go inside before dark. Visit Zoo Atlanta during the day to experience the Zoo’s living animal population.
Preview Nights are November 21 and 22, with the season’s deepest discount on tickets for Zoo Atlanta Members and value pricing for non-Members. A regular Member discount will be available throughout the run of the event.
IllumiNights will be open on select nights from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.) Due to limited capacity, advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended.
IllumiNights is a separate ticketed event and is not included in regular daytime general admission. Learn more and reserve tickets here at zooatlanta.org.
Select nights beginning Saturday, November 21, 2026, through Sunday, January 17, 2027, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.). Preview Nights are Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22, 2026.
Media Contact:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
404.624.2812
[email protected]
Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
404.624.5980
[email protected]
About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. In April 2026, Zoo Atlanta announced a new International Cooperative Research Agreement on Giant Panda Conservation, initiated between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. As part of this agreement, two new giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta on September 27, 2026, and their newly updated Atlanta home, Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove, will open on November 6. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.
