Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Point Defiance Zoolights runs nightly November 27, 2026 through January 3, 2027, 4:30 to 10 p.m., closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Timed tickets are required. Through December 13, general admission is $16 on weeknights and $22 on weekends; from December 14 on, every night is $22. Kids 2 and under are free.

The walk is a one-way path past more than 1.5 million lights and three Thomas Dambo trolls lit after dark. Animals and aquariums stay closed for the evening show, so come in daylight if kids need to see wildlife. Dog Nights are December 1, 2, 8, 9, and 15.

Pick Zoolights for Tacoma string lights and trolls. Pick WildLanterns in Seattle if you want the lantern-animal trail instead.