LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo: Five Can't-Miss High-LIGHTS

What’s the LumiNature experience like?

The Philadelphia Zoo in West Philadelphia inspires wonder and an appreciation for nature year-round.

And each winter since 2019, LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo has celebrated wildlife with a festive flair featuring more than 1 million dazzling lights, transforming the zoo’s 42 acres into a nighttime holiday wonderland.

  — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

Most of the animals head indoors before LumiNature opens its gates each night, so you won’t see many of the zoo’s year-round residents in person during your visit.

But the light show stars handcrafted light sculptures resembling animals, insects and sea life from around the world.

What high-lights should I not miss?

LumiNature feels more like a glittering, festival-like celebration of our planet’s diversity than a simple holiday light show.

Here are a few of our favorite high-lights from the annual light show (in no particular order):

1. Pherris Wheel (new for 2025!)

New for 2025 (and ready to dazzle during America’s big 250th anniversary bash next year), the Pherris Wheel rises 110 feet over the zoo with spectacular views of the city skyline.

  — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Zoo

There’s never been a Ferris wheel at the zoo in its more than 150-year history, a phantastic Philly-style addition that will replace the former zoo balloon. Each gondola can fit up to six people for the seven-minute spin. Note that Riders must be more than 32 inches tall to ride with an adult.

There’s an extra cost to ride the new Pherris Wheel, and the zoo has a variety of ticket packages to choose from.

2. The Flamingo Tree

At 25 feet tall, this picture-perfect pink tree towers above all.

Comprised of 1,500 glowing plastic lawn flamingo figurines and shaped like an evergreen, this tree makes the perfect backdrop for a holiday family portrait, greeting card or IG post.

The Flamingo Fancy area features the tree along with a twinkling canopy of 150,000 pink and aquamarine bulbs.

  — Photo courtesy Philadelphia Zoo

3. Septa PZ Express Train

Sometimes, the little ones get tuckered with walking — which makes the SEPTA PZ Express train a welcome sight. Hop on and off the train as it glides through the zoo’s sparkling lights.

Maybe you’d also like to make a stop at the Amazon Rainforest Carousel to pick out your favorite endangered Amazon animal to ride round and round.

4. Penguin Prismatic Light Show with Pixel the Penguin

Lose yourself in a high-energy light show on a gigantic penguin filled with 40,000 (!) coordinated lights that sparkle and dance to holiday classics and Philadelphia anthems (think: the Rocky theme song and Philadelphia Freedom).

Located on Bird Lake, the 40-foot-tall penguin lights up with wintry animal- and Philly-inspired scenes while surrounded by 100 glowing birdie backup dancers.

  — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

5. Flutter Flair

Butterfly lovers should head directly to the glimmering Flutter Flair, which features a 22-foot-tall tree where 34,000 butterflies have roosted. Watch them come to life in lights when you use your Zoo Key.

Don’t have a Zoo Key? You can bring your old one or buy a new one at one of the zoo’s many gift shops to amp up the magic at several of the illumination stations.

Other than all the lights, what other things can I do at LumiNature?

Displays

LumiNature’s large-scale light displays are divided into a dozen distinct zones, each inspired by a different theme.

For example, the first zone, Flutter Flair, welcomes you to the immersive experience with dozens of color-changing butterflies, while the out-of-this-world Seasonabration transports you to our solar system through an Earth-shaped 3D screen.

Seasonabration   — Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo

LumiNature 2025 features many returning favorites like Snake Away, where you can slither your way through purple, green and blue lights and get a hula-hoop lesson. Or take a break from the lights at The Call of Adventure, the zoo’s iconic treehouse play space.

Food & Drink

You’ll likely need to refuel while visiting LumiNature — and the zoo’s got you covered.

To get out of the chill, head to The Lodge, a cozy indoor space where Santa hosts a holiday party. Grab a drink, shop for gifts and make some s’mores in the outdoor lounge.

You can also vote for your favorite holiday tree on display in “Our Neck of the Woods.” West Philadelphia neighbors were given the challenge of decorating a “one-of-a-kind tree inspired by the animal kingdom.” The winner gets bragging rights for a year!

  — Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo

New for 2025, you can also check out the chill vibe at Jambi’s Solstice Saloon, a riverside pop-up bar serving wintry cocktails and mocktails. Expect Indonesian pop music and dancing geckos.

You can also reserve a luxury igloo for your group, with expanded offerings this year.

Do I need tickets for LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo? How do I get there?

LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo opens on select nights from 5 to 9 p.m., with timed entrance tickets available every half hour.

Tickets can be purchased online at the Philadelphia Zoo’s official website. Prices range from $18 to $32, while kids two years old and under enter free of charge.

  — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

The zoo has several parking lots, as well as a four-story parking garage.

You can also get to the zoo via public transit. SEPTA buses and trolleys, including the No. 38 bus and No. 15 trolley, stop within blocks of the zoo. For stops and schedules, visit SEPTA’s official website.

For more information about LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo, click the button below.