Free December Zoo Light Shows and Holiday Lantern Walks
Free zoo light nights in NJ, Chicago, and Wheaton plus a lantern walk included with Safari Park admission.
Yes, free December zoo light shows exist in New Jersey and Illinois. Turtle Back Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Cosley Zoo all list free admission on selected December dates. Zoo light shows are after-dark displays of animal and seasonal lights.
Holiday lantern walks are illuminated walking paths, often set to music. One California lantern walk is included with regular admission rather than free on its own.
Verification note: Program terms and availability can change. This page was checked against linked sources on November 03, 2026.
Which New Jersey and Illinois displays are free?
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange lists free Holiday Lights nightly December 4 through December 31. The display includes more than 50 winter and animal light characters. It closes December 24-25 and needs no reservations, according to its Holiday Lights event listing.
Cosley Zoo in Wheaton holds its Festival of Lights and Tree Sale November 27 through December 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with lights on at 3 p.m.
Admission is free during the festival, with donations encouraged, according to its Festival of Lights page.
How do Chicago's free Mondays work?
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago lists free ZooLights admission December 7 and 14. Free tickets are still required for every guest, including infants. Other nights cost $7 to $20, according to its ZooLights press notice.
That makes early December the window for no-cost entry. Evening dates outside those Mondays use paid admission. Claim the free ticket before you travel.
What does the lantern walk include?
San Diego Zoo Safari Park holds Wild Holidays November 28-29, December 18-23, and December 26 through January 3. The park stays open until 8 p.m., and holiday activities are included with regular admission or membership, with no separate evening ticket. The Nairobi Lantern Walk in Nairobi Village runs 5 to 8 p.m.
continuously during the event. Visitors walk an illuminated path where lantern lights move with a musical soundtrack, according to its Wild Holidays page. This is not free entry.
You need a daytime ticket or membership to use the evening activities. Families comparing costs should treat it as added value, not a no-cost night.
How to keep the visit free?
Confirm the date, ticket rule, and closing time before you leave. Free nights can still require a ticket, and daytime admission may be needed for included events. Check the zoo's event listing on the morning of your visit for any weather or schedule change.
- Match your calendar to the listed free dates.
- Get any required free ticket for each person, including infants in Chicago.
- Bring money only for parking, food, or voluntary donations.