CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is back in the holiday spirit with its 41st annual PNC Festival of Lights. 

Voted the No. 1 Zoo Lights display for five years, visitors can see the holiday display through Jan. 7. 

What You Need To Know

  • Voted the #1 Zoo Lights display for five years, visitors can see the holiday display through Jan. 7

  • Visitors can take part in the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake by by downloading an app to sync their phone's flashlight to the music

  • The zoo is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7, and Fridays and Saturdays its open form 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • PNC Festival of Lights is included in zoo admission

“PNC Festival of Lights has brought joy to people in the tri-state area for four decades,” said Joelle Gilbert, special events manager at the Cincinnati Zoo, in a news release. “People come back year after year to see the lights and spend a festive evening, or two or three, with family and friends.”

While some traditional favorites are returning, like the Madcap Puppets Show sponsored by Mercy Health, some new additions open up the event for visitor participation. Visitors can take part in the Wild Lights show on Swan Lake by by downloading an app to sync their phone’s flashlight to the music. 

There are also 20 new, lifelike animal lanterns throughout the zoo, but the main attraction are the four million LED lights.

Animals usually head indoors around 5 p.m., so for those who want to see them should arrive earlier in the day or visit indoor habitats including: World of the Insect, Night Hunters, Manatee Springs, Reptile House, Gorilla World, Dragons, Jungle Trails West and Discovery Forest.

Santa is back in Santa’s Village, sponsored by Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Honda Dealers, beginning at 4 p.m. daily for visits and photos. Sensory-Friendly Santa visits, sponsored by Macy’s are offered at specific times and require reservations. Huntington Bank’s all electric North Polar Express Train begins running at 2:30 p.m. daily.

Elfie Selfie Stations, sponsored by Delta Dental, light tunnels and holiday backdrops are set up throughout the zoo for photo opportunities. Find them using the zoo’s interactive map app.

Prices for tickets on lower traffic nights, such as Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, will be as much as half less than tickets on the more popular nights. Prices will go up based on demand for certain nights, but can be bought early. PNC Festival of Lights is included in zoo admission.

“We are excited to continue our signature support of this unique Cincinnati holiday tradition,” said Warren Weber, PNC regional president for Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, in a news release.  “PNC has a longstanding commitment to our community and our incredible Cincinnati Zoo. This is PNC’s 29th year of our sponsorship of the PNC Festival of Lights!!”

The zoo is open Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7. On Fridays and Saturdays the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 7.

The PNC Festival of Lights is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas. The last chance to visit Santa is Dec. 23.