We’re preparing for our new lantern festival coming April 17, please excuse the updates across the Zoo. Tigers and maned wolves remain off-habitat for updates and maintenance.
OPEN SELECT NIGHTS
APRIL 17 – JUNE 28
Sun.–Thurs. 6:30-10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. 6:30-10:30 p.m.
Wander through a luminous world of imagination and see the wild in a whole new glow. Explore larger-than-life lanterns and towering sculptures inspired by wildlife and nature. Along the way, immerse yourself in captivating performances and interactive experiences – making each night an illuminating adventure!
Public
Adult: $24
Youth: $20
DALLAS ZOO MEMBERS
Adult: $20
Youth: $16
Illuminature
COMBO TICKET
Illuminature Admission
+ $12 per person
This festival is primarily for viewing lanterns and displays.
Most of our animals go to bed before the glow comes on.
A Radiant World
of Wild Wonder
GIGANTIC GLOWING LANTERNS by Tianyu
IMMERSIVE SCULPTURES & INSTALLATIONS
PERFORMANCES & SHOWCASES
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES
SOCCER-THEMED FAN ZONE
PHOTOS OPS
AND MORE!
Nightly PERFORMANCES
Follow the glow to the Wonders of the Wild stage in ZooNorth and experience live performances throughout the night.
✴ Sichuan Opera Face-Changing
✴ Foot Juggling
✴ Head Balancing
✴ Artistic Hula Hoop
Showtimes: 7 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:50 p.m.
Performances run approximately 20 minutes and are included with your Illuminature admission.
GLOW & GO
Pre-order online and save!
Take your Illuminature adventure to the next level and glow all in with the Glow & Go package – including:
✴ Glow necklace
✴ Butterfly wand
✴ Plantable seed pop
✴ 8oz container of popcorn
✴ All packed in a keepsake Illuminature tote bag
ONLINE: Public: $25 | Dallas Zoo Members: $23
ONSITE: Public: $26.99 | Dallas Zoo Members: $24.99
Pick up at the Glow & Go tent next to the Gift Shop.
Special Events
President's Circle Night
April 16
President’s Circle members are invited to join us for a special preview of Illuminature before it opens to the public.
By invitation only.
Member Night
May 27
This night is reserved for Dallas Zoo members! Get exclusive access to Illuminature when you reserve your tickets for May 27.
GAME ON ⚽
Step onto the pitch and score big with soccer-themed fun at Illuminature to celebrate the global matches coming to Dallas.
Goal Wild! Sponsored by Reliant
Kick, run, and score big at the soccer-themed fan zone located on The Grove! Show off your skills and go for the goal in this wildly fun, family-friendly soccer experience included in Illuminature.
Sunset Safari Block Party
June 21
We’re teaming up with Visit Dallas, Halperin Park, and East Dock for one wild block party to celebrate the global matches coming to Dallas. Grab Illuminature tickets for just $15 — this night only!
INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MAP
Use our digital map to guide your glowing path, find must-sees, and discover everything in between.
Coming Soon
Members save
Become a Dallas Zoo member today to save on Illuminature tickets! You’ll also get benefits like free daily admission, parking, and more. For a limited time, save $30 when you join at the Passport level or above!
frequently asked questions
Tickets and Parking
We offer single admission tickets and an Illuminature Combo Ticket.
- Single Admission Tickets
- Public: Adult $24 | Youth $20
- Dallas Zoo members: Adult $20 | Youth $16
- Free for children 2 and under
- Illuminature Combo Ticket
- Explore the Zoo in the afternoon and stay for the glow after hours with a Combo Ticket! For just $12 more than the price of an Illuminature ticket, you can arrive starting at 3:30 p.m. and enjoy the lanterns at night.
The Illuminature Combo Ticket is $12, plus the cost of an Illuminature admission ticket, per person. The Combo Ticket is available for online purchase only and cannot be purchased after 2 p.m. each day. It is valid for Zoo entry beginning at 3:30 p.m.
Parking is not included with Illuminature admission tickets. Parking is $14 and only needs to be purchased once if you have a Combo Ticket –– it’s valid for both your daytime Zoo visit and evening Illuminature visit. Parking is free for Dallas Zoo members.
The time on your ticket is your window for arrival. We ask that you arrive as close to the entry time listed on your ticket as possible.
- Illuminature entry times: 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
- Illuminature closing times:
- Sunday–Thursday: 10 p.m.
- Friday & Saturday: 10:30 p.m.
If you’re not able to arrive during your designated entry time, we will do our best to accommodate your visit based on crowd levels at the time of your arrival.
If you need to reschedule a different date, please contact Guest Services at 469.554.7501 or email Tickets@DallasZoo.com for assistance.
We do not offer senior or military discounts for Illuminature admission tickets.
Illuminature tickets are non-refundable; however, we are happy to exchange your tickets to visit another day. Please contact Guest Services at 469.554.7501 or email Tickets@DallasZoo.com for assistance.
Accessibility
Your visit can take about 1.5 to 2 hours. Your experience may be shorter or longer depending on how much time you spend marveling at each glowing display.
- Wheelchairs and EMVs will be available for rent during Illuminature. You may bring your own strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. We offer other mobile options for rent.
- Single stroller: $11
- Double stroller: $15
- Manual wheelchair: $15
- Electronic Wheelchairs with canopy: $35
- Rentals are subject to availability and are rented on a first-come, first-served basis at the Gift Shop, located just inside the front gate. Please contact 469.554.7462 for more information.
Illuminature features interactive elements with lights, sound, and fog. For guests sensitive to those elements, please use our sensory signage across the Zoo to guide your experience and help you navigate areas with higher levels of stimulation.
Our Comfort Station located in the Guest Services building will remain open for the evening during Illuminature.
Animals
Illuminature is designed primarily for viewing lanterns and displays at night. Most of our animals go to bed before the glow comes on. With an Illuminature Combo Ticket, you can visit in the afternoon — and the earlier you arrive within the Combo Ticket timeframe, the more likely you are to see your favorite animals before they head in for the night.
Dining and Guest Amenities
- We have several options for food, beverages, and snacks throughout the Zoo that will be open and available.
- You can also bring your own food and beverages, except for alcohol. Glass items and single-use disposable straws are not permitted on Zoo grounds.
Our Comfort Station located in the Guest Services building will remain open for the evening during Illuminature.
Experiences and Encounters
Illuminature is an evening experience, so most of our encounters and experiences will not be available during the festival. We recommend purchasing an Illuminature Combo Ticket to enjoy both daytime and evening experiences.
- Open During Illuminature
- Herpetarium closes at 8:00 p.m.
The Wild Pass is not valid during Illuminature and cannot be combined with an Illuminature Combo Ticket. Wild Passes are available for purchase daily until 4 p.m. and are no longer valid after 5 p.m.
Destination: Dinosaurs will be extinct during Illuminature but will be roaring during regular Zoo hours.
Soccer / Host City Activities
- During your adventure, stop by Goal Wild! Sponsored by Reliant to kick off the fun in our soccer-themed fan zone on The Grove.
- Join us in the wild on June 21 for the Sunset Safari Block Party to celebrate the excitement of Dallas welcoming the world as a host city this summer. This event is hosted by Visit Dallas, Halperin Park, East Dock, and your Dallas Zoo.
Group Sales and Private Events
We offer group tickets for Illuminature. Groups of 15 or more receive discounted admission. To book, contact our Group Sales department at 469.554.7479 or email GroupSales@DallasZoo.com.
You can host a private event during Illuminature. Contact our Group Sales department at 469.554.7479 or email GroupSales@DallasZoo.com.
Thank you to our Illuminature sponsors
