Glow Wild lights the Birmingham Zoo Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 on select nights, 5 to 9 p.m. Every open night, ticket prices, Santa dates and the sensory-friendly night.

Glow Wild, the Birmingham Zoo’s holiday lantern festival, opens Saturday, Nov. 21, and runs on select nights through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, from 5 to 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $16 for children 2 to 12, according to the zoo’s Glow Wild page. It is not open every night, so check the dates below before you go.

Last checked Oct. 27, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address; the details below are for Glow Wild 2026, from the Birmingham Zoo.

Who to call

  • Birmingham Zoo: 205-879-0409, 2630 Cahaba Road
  • Group tickets (15 or more): through the zoo, details on the Glow Wild page
  • Police non-emergency: 205-328-9311; 911 in an emergency

Is it on this year?

Yes. The zoo announced the return of Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, presented by Chase, for Nov. 21, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027. The zoo says the 2026 show has more than 1 million lights, hundreds of handcrafted lanterns and new installations along a mile-long outdoor route. The zoo’s own event archive shows the festival also ran from Nov. 17, 2023, to Jan. 15, 2024.

Open nights

From the zoo’s 2026 calendars. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. unless noted.

  • November: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29. Closed Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Nov. 30.
  • December: 2 (KultureCity Night), 3 (Adults Only), 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, then every night from 16 to 23 and from 26 to 31. Closed Dec. 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 24 and 25.
  • January 2027: 1, 2 and 3, the last night.

Special nights:

  • Member Preview Night: Friday, Nov. 20, 5 to 8 p.m., for zoo members.
  • KultureCity Night: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6 to 8 p.m., a sensory-friendly evening.
  • Adults Only (18+) Night: Thursday, Dec. 3, sold as a separate ticket.

Tickets

The zoo strongly recommends buying ahead because nightly capacity is limited. Last tickets on a standard night are sold at 8 p.m. Prices include 10% tax.

Ticket Advance Walk-up
Adult $25 $27
Child, 2 to 12 $16 $17
Member adult $19 $21
Member child, 2 to 17 $12 $14

Buy through the zoo’s Glow Wild ticket page. On Oct. 27 the ticket site carried a notice that it was having payment processing problems; try again later if checkout fails. Groups of 15 or more book through the zoo.

Santa and the Holiday Village

Santa visits the Holiday Village, with carolers and photo spots, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on these nights, the zoo says:

  • November: 27, 28 and 29.
  • December: 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.

What else is there

  • Treats: hot cocoa (spiked for guests 21 and older), apple cider, s’mores and churros.
  • The Red Diamond Express Train runs through the lights.
  • Wild Explorer VR: a limited-time virtual reality ride, “Elf Power, Inc.”
  • Animals: most go indoors after dark. Flamingos and elephants may be out, depending on the weather. The zoo suggests a daytime visit to see the animals.

Weather

Glow Wild does not open on rainy nights. The zoo posts closures on its website and social media, and tickets for a closed night can be used on another Glow Wild night.

Getting there and parking

The zoo is at 2630 Cahaba Road. Its Glow Wild page does not give parking details for the festival; call the zoo at 205-879-0409 with questions. Check road construction and closures before you set off, and see getting around for more on driving and transit in Birmingham.

What this means for you

  • Check the calendar. Several weeknights are dark, including Dec. 7 to 9 and Dec. 14 and 15.
  • Buy ahead to save $2 a ticket and secure a night.
  • Plan Santa photos for one of the nine Santa nights.
  • Watch the forecast on the day; rain closes the event.

Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, The Nutcracker, Thanksgiving and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo in 2026?

Glow Wild opens Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, and runs on select nights through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, from 5 to 9 p.m. Last tickets are sold at 8 p.m. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and several Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

How much are Glow Wild tickets?

Bought in advance, tickets are $25 for adults and $16 for children 2 to 12; zoo members pay $19 and $12. Walk-up tickets are $27 and $17, or $21 and $14 for members. Prices include 10% tax.

When can I see Santa at Glow Wild?

Santa is at the zoo’s Holiday Village from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, 28 and 29, and Dec. 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, according to the zoo.

What happens to Glow Wild if it rains?

The zoo does not open Glow Wild on rainy nights and posts closures online and on social media. Tickets for a closed night can be used on another Glow Wild night.

Is there a sensory-friendly Glow Wild night?

Yes. KultureCity Night, a sensory-friendly evening, is Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. An adults-only (18 and older) night is Thursday, Dec. 3, with separate tickets.