Holiday Lights Spectacular
November 24 – December 31, 2023
Open nightly (closed Christmas Eve/Day) 5:00 – 9:30 pm, with last admission at 9:00 pm. Tickets sold online only.
Get TicketsBring family and friends to experience Holiday Lights Spectacular – an annual walk-through experience just in time for the holidays. Featuring festive, larger-than-life dazzling displays, this year’s event is even bigger and brighter boasting more than 3 ½ million illuminated lights that transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland! Join us and ring in the season nightly from November 24 through December 31. Bundle up, grab an adult beverage, hot chocolate, or roast some s’mores and stroll through 40 acres of illuminated pathways.
From radiant reindeer to sparkly snowmen, this is a must-see experience this holiday season. And for the little ones, Santa will be at the Spectacular on select Thursday nights in December through Christmas. The visit is free to families who have a same-night ticket for the 5 or 6 pm timeslot only.
Holiday Lights Spectacular is open rain or shine. The experience runs 5:00 – 9:30 pm. Tickets are timed-entry and available for purchase online only. NO REFUNDS OR RESCHEDULING. This program does not include animal exhibits. Please note: the Holiday Lights Spectacular features flashing lights which may affect photosensitive visitors. See below for details on pricing, parking, and our weather and membership policies.
Proceeds from the Holiday Lights Spectacular support the Zoo’s ongoing animal care, education programs and conservation initiatives. Thank you for helping us save wildlife and wild places!
Event Pricing
Tickets are required and must be reserved online in advance.
- Adult $14
- Child (ages 2-12) $12
- Toddlers 1 and under FREE
RWPZoo Member Discount: Active Roger Williams Park Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets nightly for the Holiday Lights Spectacular.
Active Roger Williams Park Zoo members save $2 off adult and $1 off child tickets nightly for the Holiday Lights Spectacular.
- To receive the member discount for online tickets, all members must log into their online member account and the discount will automatically apply at checkout.
- Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
- Reciprocal memberships do not apply.
- Member discounts are ONLY VALID for the number of people that are covered by the membership.
For questions, please contact visitorservices@rwpzoo.org.
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!
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- 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.
OR, 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. These events are available Sunday – Friday only, during the Spectacular. All events are booked on a first-come, served-basis and both a completed contract and payment are required to book! For questions about private events, please reach out to GSales@rwpzoo.org.
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- Thursday nights during Holiday Lights until Christmas:
- November 30th
- December 7th, 14th, 21st
Times: 5 – 7 PM each night
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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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! Listen to festive holiday music as you stroll through the Zoo.
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.
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.
Wheelchairs and strollers are available at the rental kiosk located at the main entrance or online in advance. One and two seat strollers are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $7 (single stroller) and $9 (double stroller). Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $7.
An EZ Cart (automated wheelchair) is also available for rental by reservation. They are available for $27 each at rental area near the zoo’s main entrance on a first-come, first-served basis or with an online reservation.
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.
We do not allow flash photography, tripods, monopods or selfie sticks as a courtesy and safety measure. Otherwise, yes, you may take pictures as long as you do not impede viewing or the flow of traffic on the trail.
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 2023 – 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: $675 and includes party space and Holiday Lights Spectacular entry for 15 guests
Add extra guests for $35
Available at 5:30 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 (December 31, 2023) are not permitted.
