See the wonder of the season come to life with OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS. Experience drive-thru and walking courses featuring themed light sculptures and interactive displays.
Get ready for a wonderland of illuminated lanterns and holiday magic when discovering the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden’s all new SAFARI LIGHTS presented by OG&E. This annual light celebration is the perfect holiday outing for friends and families continuing a tradition or creating a new one as they explore the OKC Zoo with both a driving tour and walking experience.
OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS begins Saturday, November 9 and runs nightly through New Year’s Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2025, from 5:30 to 11 p.m. nightly with the last check in at 10 p.m., offering opportunities for a driving tour through the Zoo and fun walking trail featuring various interactive displays.
From the comfort of their cars, guests will enjoy views of vibrant, larger-than-life lanterns inspired by wildlife and wild places, plus whimsical winter and holiday scenes as they drive a guided path through the park. After the driving tour, patrons may park and re-enter the Zoo for an additional walking experience highlighting more light displays and a variety of fun, interactives that guests of all ages can engage. The walking course begins in the Zoo’s entry plaza with a musical light show and winds through the Children’s Zoo presented by Primrose Schools and outside of the Jungle Gym Playground promising memorable (and Instagrammable) moments along the way!
Santa will be part of the SAFARI LIGHTS scene and available for photo opportunities along the walking course. The Santa photo station presented by Homeland will be located near the Jungle Gym Playground and debuts Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28 and will remain open Thursdays through Sundays until Christmas Day. Digital and print options will be available for purchase. No appointment necessary.
The Zoo’s Safari Gifts will be open during SAFARI LIGHTS where shoppers will find the state’s largest selection of plush animals, nature-inspired gifts, and exclusive “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” apparel and collectibles. A festive selection of delicious treats and eats will also be available for purchase during SAFARI LIGHTS. Select Zoo concessions will be open and offering specialty beverages, light dinner options, s’more kits, savory snacks, and new desserts like flamingo fries (funnel cake strips topped with pink icing, sprinkles, and a candy flamingo), only found at the OKC Zoo!
OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS will be open on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. The estimated time to complete the driving tour is 20 minutes.
Supporting OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS sponsors include Devon and MidFirst Bank. OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS is produced by the Oklahoma City Zoo and Tianyu Culture.
Online reservations are required for OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS and can be made at www.okczoo.org/safari-lights. Drive-up purchases will not be accepted. Tickets are limited to ensure optimal guest experience. Event pricing varies based on visit date, you pick the date that works best with your schedule and budget. ZOOfriends members receive a $10 discount on drive-thru admissions and a $2 discount on additional walk-thru admissions. To make reservations or for additional details, visit www.okczoo.org/safari-lights. The Zoo also created a Frequently Asked Question guide for SAFARI LIGHTS at https://bit.ly/SafariLightsFAQ.
The OKC Zoo will host a Sensory-Friendly Night for SAFARI LIGHTS on Friday, November 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees can anticipate a less-stimulating sensory environment with lower crowd attendance, limited flashing lights, and reduced sounds while experiencing the magic of SAFARI LIGHTS.
Have your holiday party on the wild side at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s Safari Lights Lounge! Perfect for family gatherings or small business parties, experience the OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS presented by OG&E then continue the celebration in one of three festive private event spaces, the Love’s Pachyderm Building, Treehouse, or the Canopy East Room. SAFARI LIGHTS admission is also required, and catering options are available. Visit https://www.okczoo.org/your-events or contact events@okczoo.org to inquire about pricing and availability.
Volunteer opportunities are with SAFARI LIGHTS and ideal for individuals and families plus, civic, school and corporate groups. Those wishing to help must be 14 or older and any volunteer under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about volunteering or to register, visit www.okczoo.org/volunteers-for-special-events.
The most wonderful time of year is sparkly and bright with OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS open nightly November 9 through January 1. The Oklahoma City Zoo’s daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. The Zoo will be closed to the public during the daytime on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day as well as Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 3 through February 5, 2025. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular daytime admission is $16 for adults and $13 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Looking for a year of Zoo adventures? Consider a 12-month, ZOOfriends Membership Passport to the OKC Zoo providing general admission year-round and exclusive offers while supporting the Zoo’s ongoing animal care and conservation programs. Memberships also make great gifts for the holidays and other celebrations and can be purchased at okczoo.org/membership.