Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
Each year, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo hangs 2.5 million holiday lights across its 35 acres for the dazzling 28 free nights called ZooLights. More than half a million visitors come to see the musical light shows, live ice-sculpting demos, and hot cocoa before taking a photo with Santa and catching a ride on the carousel, train, or Ferris wheel. Lincoln Park Zoo is always free and so is ZooLights, thanks to sponsors from within the Chicago community. It’s absolutely an incredible experience and definitely worth braving the cold which sometimes accompanies Chicago’s winters.
Each year, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo hangs 2.5 million holiday lights across its 35 acres for the dazzling 28 free nights called ZooLights. More than half a million visitors come to see the musical light shows, live ice-sculpting demos, and hot cocoa before taking a photo with Santa and catching a ride on the carousel, train, or Ferris wheel. Lincoln Park Zoo is always free and so is ZooLights, thanks to sponsors from within the Chicago community. It’s absolutely an incredible experience and definitely worth braving the cold which sometimes accompanies Chicago’s winters.










