Returns November 2022! Brighten your holidays and celebrate the magic of the season with us.
Bring family and friends to experience Holiday Lights Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island – an all new walk-through experience just in time for the holidays. Join us on select nights November 26, 2021 – January 2, 2022, for a dazzling light display through the Zoo. Featuring 40 acres of festive larger-than-life luminous displays and over 3 million illuminated lights, it’s the most wonderful way to ring in the holidays!
On show nights, the experience runs 5:00 – 9:30 pm. Tickets are timed-entry and available for purchase online only. Please note: the Holiday Lights Spectacular features flashing lights which may affect photosensitive visitors.
November 26 - 28; December 2 - 5; and December 9 - January 2
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Holiday Lights Spectacular is open rain or shine. NO REFUNDS OR RESCHEDULING. Any changes to your order must be processed (not just requested!) by 1/2/2022.
Experience will be open nightly 5:00 - 9:30 pm. Zoo closes at 9:30 pm. Tickets are timed-entry and available for purchase online only. Tickets are sold for each hour (time slots are your arrival window to the Zoo – it isn’t reflective of trail exploration times). Please read below for important information including pricing, directions and FAQs.
Pricing: All tickets are timed-entry and must be purchased ONLINE IN ADVANCE.
- Adult $12; child $10 (ages 2-12)
- Current RWP Zoo members: Adult $10; child $9 (ages 2-12) To receive the discount, you must be logged into your zoo membership account.
- Children one and younger are always admitted free.
Group Savings:
- Purchase Discounted Tickets: Save $1 per ticket when you order at least 25 paid tickets in a single order! The discount is available Sunday – Friday nights, but ticket supply is limited- popular nights will sell out quickly, so order ahead to lock in your place!
- Ready to buy? Add at least 25 paid Holiday Lights Spectacular tickets to your cart, then advance to the next screen. The group discount will automatically apply! Tickets are emailed shortly after purchase.
- Be sure to use accurate counts – all sales are final.
- Questions? Contact gsales@rwpzoo.org.
Please note: With the exception of current RWPZoo members, no additional discounts are offered.
The Zoo has free nightly parking, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking is available on the street in Roger Williams Park.
We also offer handicap parking in Lots A and B. If the spots are not available, drivers may drive up to the Zoo entrance and drop off passengers. As always, please listen to the parking attendants who are throughout the parking lots.
Important Tips:
- Traffic coming off Route 95 at Exit 16 (Rt. 95 heading north) and Exit 17 (Rt. 95 heading south) can be heavy and slow from 5:00 - 8:00 pm on these nights.
- We highly encourage any groups with buses contact the Zoo prior to your visit so we can plan parking in advance. Call 401-785-3510 ext.338 or email us at gsales@rwpzoo.org.
Located just 50 minutes from Boston, 60 minutes from New London, CT and 90 minutes from Hartford with easy access off Interstate 95. GPS users, enter address "1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence RI."
For travelers coming from the north and east of Providence, head south on Route 95 and take RI exit 17. At the stop light, take a left. At the next stoplight, turn right for a jug handle turn that will take you into Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
From points South of Providence, take Route 95 heading north. Take exit 16 and bear right at the split. At the bottom of the ramp, take a left onto Elmwood Ave then shortly take a right into the Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
From Route 10 South - take the Elmwood Ave Exit. At the stop light at the bottom of the ramp, take a left onto Elmwood Ave. Take a right into the Roger Williams Park. Follow signs to the Zoo entrance.
Once inside the entrance of Roger Williams Park, follow signs for the Holiday Lights Spectacular to the Zoo.
An additional option is to enter the Park at Broad Street and Hawthorne Avenue in Providence. This may be a better option on busy nights. Use your GPS to determine the best route.
IMPORTANT – SOME OF THE ROADWAYS INSIDE ROGER WILLIAMS PARK ARE ONE-WAY. PLEASE OBSERVE ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND SIGNS.
**Note: In keeping with the state’s new mask mandate, everyone over the age of 2 visiting Santa will be required to wear a mask.
Ring in some holiday cheer with Santa Claus himself! Santa will be spending time at Holiday Lights Spectacular on select nights, eager to meet with all his favorite children! Visits with Santa are available to each child (ages 12 and under) and families should plan to bring their own camera to snap photos,
Dates: Thursdays, December 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2021
Times: 5 – 7 PM each night
Please note: This FREE feature is available to anyone with a same-night Holiday Lights Spectacular ticket for the 5 or 6 pm timeslots only. Santa visits are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Be sure to bring your own camera to capture the magic, no photographer will be on-site.
All tickets are rain-or-shine, and we don't offer refunds, rainchecks or rescheduling.
In the event of severe weather, updates will be made on our website and on our Facebook page. In the event of severe weather, we reserve the right to cancel. In this case, ticket holders will be able to change their reservation date by contacting Visitor Services at visitorservices@rwpzoo.org or by calling 401-785-3510 ext 316.
If you call outside of hours of operation or are unable to reach a Zoo employee, please leave a message, and we will return your call when available.
The 30-night event runs on select nights: November 26 - 28; December 2 - 5; and December 9 - January 2.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
YES! Listen to festive holiday music as you stroll through the Zoo.
Each walk-through experience varies. Once you arrive at the entrance to the Zoo, it takes about 1 - 1.5 hours to walk through the entire show.
Yes! Enjoy delicious holiday favorites such as hot chocolate, smores, sugar cookies, and more. Dinner options will also be available including hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and fries.
The Zoo has free nightly parking, which is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking is available on the street in Roger Williams Park.
Please note: We highly encourage any groups with buses contact the Zoo prior to your visit so we can plan parking in advance. Call 401-785-3510 ext.338 or email us at gsales@rwpzoo.org.
Guests may use strollers, wheelchairs, and wagons throughout the Zoo. The Zoo pathway is fully wheelchair accessible.
Please note: Stroller and wheelchair rentals are not available at night. If a patron is in need of a wheelchair, admissions staff will provide one at no charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
Only service dogs are allowed on grounds during the Holiday Lights Spectacular shows, as outlined by the ADA standards.
For the safety and well-being of our guests as well as our animals, pets, emotional support and therapy animals are not allowed inside the Zoo.
There is no smoking anywhere in the Zoo at any time. Further, per the City of Providence, the entire Roger Williams Park and Roger Williams Park Zoo are smoke free. We do not allow e-cigarettes.
Apart from current RWPZoo members, no additional discounts are available for this event.
Absolutely! We have two ways to enjoy the Holiday Lights Spectacular as a group, by either hosting a private event or purchasing discounted tickets.
- Host a Private Event: Private events are the ultimate way to experience the Holiday Lights Spectacular. Reserve a private venue to gather, then save with discounted admission tickets, add delicious catering, and enjoy speedy entrance to the event. Private events, click HERE to learn more. These events are available Sunday – Friday only, during the Spectacular. The Holiday Light Spectacular runs select nights in Winter 2021 – please visit rwpzoo.org/holidaylights for show dates. All events are booked on a first-come, served-basis and both a completed contract and payment are required to book!
- Purchase Discounted Tickets: Save $1 per ticket when you order at least 25 paid tickets in a single order! The discount is available Sunday – Friday nights, but ticket supply is limited- popular nights will sell out quickly, so order ahead to lock in your place!
- Ready to buy? Add at least 25 paid Holiday Lights Spectacular tickets to your cart, then advance to the next screen. The group discount will automatically apply! Tickets are emailed shortly after purchase.
- Be sure to use accurate counts – all sales are final.
For questions about private events or group discounted tickets, please reach out to GSales@rwpzoo.org.
Yes! Come celebrate with a Holiday Lights Spectacular Package Party! This all-inclusive party package makes for the ultimate extravaganza – just sit back and enjoy. The Holiday Light Spectacular runs select nights in Winter 2021 – please visit rwpzoo.org/holidaylights for show dates. Package parties can only take place on show nights. For more information or to inquire about booking a party, please reach out to GSales@rwpzoo.org
Rate: $495 and includes party space and Holiday Lights Spectacular entry for 15 guests
Add extra guests for $25
Available at 4:30 PM
Party Includes:
- Access to the Holiday Lights Spectacular
- Use of semi-private party space for 90 minutes
- Tablecloths and eco-friendly plates, cups, napkins, and utensils – all complimentary
- Kid-friendly fare for everyone:
- Cheese Pizza or hot dogs
- Ice cream treat
- Juice and water
Please note: A guest is considered anyone over age 1. Member admission is not valid for party attendees. All guests must be included in the final headcount.
All ticket sales are final. Due to capacity limits, we cannot reschedule or refund tickets.
Refunds/changes to your order requested after the last day of the show (January 2,2022) are not permitted.
The Spectacular is an important fundraiser for Roger Williams Park Zoo. Proceeds from the event will support the Zoo’s animal care, environmental education, and conservation efforts both locally and around the globe.