LumiNature FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About LumiNature
What is LumiNature presented by PNC?
LumiNature presented by PNC is Philadelphia Zoo’s spectacular winter light show experience, returning this holiday season for dazzling displays, shimmering sights, lively light performers, and magical memories. With more than a million twinkling lights across 16 artistically illuminated zones, LumiNature will take guests on a breathtaking journey celebrating the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of our planet.
When can I make ticket reservations for LumiNature presented by PNC?
Timed tickets are now on sale! All guests must pre-purchase timed tickets here. Timed tickets allow the Zoo to control crowds and create a better experience for all guests.
How much are LumiNature tickets for the general public?
Prices vary by visit date.
Adults ages 12 & up: $25 to $28
Children ages 2-11: $20-$23
Guests can also purchase Anytime Tickets and visit LumiNature presented by PNC on any operating night without advance reservations, only available through November 15.
Adults ages 12 & up: $32
Children ages 2-11: $27
Adults ages 12 & up: $25 to $28
Children ages 2-11: $20-$23
Guests can also purchase Anytime Tickets and visit LumiNature presented by PNC on any operating night without advance reservations, only available through November 15.
Adults ages 12 & up: $32
Children ages 2-11: $27
How much are LumiNature tickets for members?
Zoo members receive a discount on all tickets. Discount applies automatically at check-out. Member login required for discount to apply. Members also enjoy free parking for one vehicle per visit with a membership card. For tickets and membership information, click here.
When can I visit LumiNature?
LumiNature begins Friday, November 17 and runs select nights through Saturday, January 6. LumiNature presented by PNC is a nighttime experience with timed entrance tickets available every 15 minutes from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and closes at 9:00pm or 10:00pm depending on the visit date. Please refer to the calendar on the ticketing page for more information on operating nights.
What will I see at LumiNature?
Guests will travel through 16 artistically illuminated zones that will take them on a breathtaking journey celebrating the wonder of wildlife and the beauty of our planet. Displays include 20+ ft. tall holiday trees, custom made light structures and more than a million shimmering lights.
Will Santa be at LumiNature presented by PNC?
New for this year, Santa will be stopping by on December 1, 8 & 15 from 5:00-8:00 pm to take selfies with guests inside the Zoo’s Treehouse! This add-on is free to Zoo members with advance reservations. Guests can purchase a $10 ticket per group to enter the Zoo’s exclusive members-only space to get their photos with Santa.
Are there any add-on experiences at LumiNature presented by PNC?
For added excitement, go on a Nature Blazers Scavenger Hunt powered by TRAKID through our 16 zones of sparkle. Wearing a smart compass, complete challenges, and answer trivia questions at each stop through an interactive mobile app. This engaging add-on is recommended for ages 4 & up, costs $10 per wristband and is available for purchase at the kiosk inside the main gate.
Can I see the animals during LumiNature presented by PNC?
While this whimsical and fantastical adventure will inspire a sense of wonder and connection to your favorite animals, please note that the Zoo’s animals will be off of public view and sleeping in their indoor exhibits.
16 Zones of Sparkle
Welcome to LumiNature: Cascading meteor light showers welcome guests from 34th street to Girard and past the Zoo to the parking garage area. On the Zoo’s main plaza, five, 80 ft. tall trees, wrapped in stunning multicolored lights, welcome all creating a fun and festive atmosphere for everyone, living, visiting or passing through the area.
Glow with the Flow: the adventure begins as guests arrive, entering a bright, beautiful setting of lit orbs, giant illuminated flowers and a massive array of strands of lighting overhead.
At Whistle-Stop Wonder, take a trip around Impala Fountain on the SEPTA PZ Wilderness Express Train in a backdrop of more than 200,000 glittering in the trees. An additional 10,000 lights twinkle with brilliant designs along the awning for Rare Animal Conservation Center. Plus, encounter lively light artists performing visually-stunning theatrics.
Snake Awake: Slither through brilliant purples, blues and greens as a giant snake glowing with 5,000 lights moves along beside you. Be on the look out for a brand-new photo op!
Stroll through Flamingo Fancy underneath a canopy of 150,00 beautiful glowing pink and aquamarine lights.
Winter of Love features the Zoo's iconic 25 ft. tall pink flamingo tree made entirely of 1500 lit lawn flamingos. Guests will feel the groovy vibes in this zone with a funky light display, cozy bean bag chairs and a brand new 70s Volkswagen photo op!
Big Cat Stalk:  Meander through a path of tall, illuminated grass, while stalking eyes of frisky felines appear and disappear. Now is the perfect time in your trek to stop by the Zoo’s gift shop and check out specially-themed LumiNature merchandise.
Penguin Prismatic: The red carpet, shining disco balls and chandeliers take you to the can’t miss light display. Witness a 40 ft. tall penguin glowing with 40,000 lights which unveil surprising images in a stunning fashion. The classic show includes the animals featured around LumiNature, like snakes, flamingos and big cats, but also a scene dedicated to the city of Philadelphia, featuring the Liberty Bell, Love Park, the Rocky Statue and more. A second-brand new show highlights how much fun it is to be a penguin. Watch them as they romp through a winter wonderland, dancing, ice skating and so much more. One hundred penguins will be on Bird Lake and will illuminate different colors in tandem with the performance.
At Tis the SEASon, dive under the sea and float among more than a dozen giant jellyfish in hues of orange, pink and blue, reaching up to 5 ft. wide and 12 ft. long. New this year, a friendly sea turtle, with a flipper span of 16 ft., is the star of a new 20 ft. tall custom holiday tree that brings the coral reef to life. Marvel at an ultraviolet coral rock reef.
Seasonbration comes to life via an oversized, Earth- shaped 3D screen showing programmed lights, music, sound effects and color, all under a canopy of 600 vines of twinkling lights that add whimsy and wonder to the show.
Camp Starfire is the perfect location to sit under brilliantly lit orbs and sparkling trees while snacking on gooey s’mores by the fire.
At Twilight Savanna step into the heart of Africa as you wander the savanna and witness animals waking, funning and flying through an imaginative video projection on striking rock walls. The projection captures the beauty of sunrises and sunsets of the African plains.
Flutter Flair features a stunning 22 ft. tall butterfly tree covered in 4,000 butterflies that welcomes visitors through the magical land of the butterfly. Featuring five oversized whimsical monarch pavilions and beautifully-winged artistic performers, Flutter Flair offers guests the opportunity to snap a beautiful photo and offers wishes for a tremendous holiday season.
Local artists are lending their talents to LumiNature Lane by painting 3-foot-tall paper lanterns that will beautifully shine under a canopy of lights to tell the magical story of LumiNature.
Animale Fantasia: Marvel at this finale showstopper where enchanting animal animations awaken the child in all of us through cinematic storytelling and projection artistry. Cave-like screens situated on a field of lights choreographed to captivating music bring animal dreams to life!
In Our Neck of the Woods, celebrate our neighborhood, with each tree decorated by a different community group. Guests can then vote their favorite decorated tree for bragging rights!
Glow with the Flow: the adventure begins as guests arrive, entering a bright, beautiful setting of lit orbs, giant illuminated flowers and a massive array of strands of lighting overhead.
At Whistle-Stop Wonder, take a trip around Impala Fountain on the SEPTA PZ Wilderness Express Train in a backdrop of more than 200,000 glittering in the trees. An additional 10,000 lights twinkle with brilliant designs along the awning for Rare Animal Conservation Center. Plus, encounter lively light artists performing visually-stunning theatrics.
Snake Awake: Slither through brilliant purples, blues and greens as a giant snake glowing with 5,000 lights moves along beside you. Be on the look out for a brand-new photo op!
Stroll through Flamingo Fancy underneath a canopy of 150,00 beautiful glowing pink and aquamarine lights.
Winter of Love features the Zoo's iconic 25 ft. tall pink flamingo tree made entirely of 1500 lit lawn flamingos. Guests will feel the groovy vibes in this zone with a funky light display, cozy bean bag chairs and a brand new 70s Volkswagen photo op!
Big Cat Stalk:  Meander through a path of tall, illuminated grass, while stalking eyes of frisky felines appear and disappear. Now is the perfect time in your trek to stop by the Zoo’s gift shop and check out specially-themed LumiNature merchandise.
Penguin Prismatic: The red carpet, shining disco balls and chandeliers take you to the can’t miss light display. Witness a 40 ft. tall penguin glowing with 40,000 lights which unveil surprising images in a stunning fashion. The classic show includes the animals featured around LumiNature, like snakes, flamingos and big cats, but also a scene dedicated to the city of Philadelphia, featuring the Liberty Bell, Love Park, the Rocky Statue and more. A second-brand new show highlights how much fun it is to be a penguin. Watch them as they romp through a winter wonderland, dancing, ice skating and so much more. One hundred penguins will be on Bird Lake and will illuminate different colors in tandem with the performance.
At Tis the SEASon, dive under the sea and float among more than a dozen giant jellyfish in hues of orange, pink and blue, reaching up to 5 ft. wide and 12 ft. long. New this year, a friendly sea turtle, with a flipper span of 16 ft., is the star of a new 20 ft. tall custom holiday tree that brings the coral reef to life. Marvel at an ultraviolet coral rock reef.
Seasonbration comes to life via an oversized, Earth- shaped 3D screen showing programmed lights, music, sound effects and color, all under a canopy of 600 vines of twinkling lights that add whimsy and wonder to the show.
Camp Starfire is the perfect location to sit under brilliantly lit orbs and sparkling trees while snacking on gooey s’mores by the fire.
At Twilight Savanna step into the heart of Africa as you wander the savanna and witness animals waking, funning and flying through an imaginative video projection on striking rock walls. The projection captures the beauty of sunrises and sunsets of the African plains.
Flutter Flair features a stunning 22 ft. tall butterfly tree covered in 4,000 butterflies that welcomes visitors through the magical land of the butterfly. Featuring five oversized whimsical monarch pavilions and beautifully-winged artistic performers, Flutter Flair offers guests the opportunity to snap a beautiful photo and offers wishes for a tremendous holiday season.
Local artists are lending their talents to LumiNature Lane by painting 3-foot-tall paper lanterns that will beautifully shine under a canopy of lights to tell the magical story of LumiNature.
Animale Fantasia: Marvel at this finale showstopper where enchanting animal animations awaken the child in all of us through cinematic storytelling and projection artistry. Cave-like screens situated on a field of lights choreographed to captivating music bring animal dreams to life!
In Our Neck of the Woods, celebrate our neighborhood, with each tree decorated by a different community group. Guests can then vote their favorite decorated tree for bragging rights!