ZooLights at the Oregon Zoo
✓ Verified 2025-2026
Where: 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, Oregon
When: November 21 - January 4 (closed Nov 25-27 and Dec 25; Jan 3 is 21+ only)
Hours: Timed entry from 4:30 pm in 30-minute increments
Cost: $13-$35 adults, $13-$30 youth
1.5 million lightstimed-entry ticketstrain ridePolar Bear BobsledRainbow and Galactic tunnelsJellyfish Junctionwalk-through or drive-through optionsfood cartsbeer and wine20% member discountincome-assistance discountsattraction
Running since 1988, the Oregon Zoo strings more than 1.5 million lights across its grounds each winter, with illuminated animal displays, themed tunnels, and a train ride. Advance timed-entry tickets are required, and visitors can choose to walk or drive through.
Best time to arrive. Sunset in Portland is around 4:28 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:02 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 36°F, so dress for standing around outside.
Other displays nearby
There are 6 other displays within 5 miles of this one, and 14 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.
- Pittock Mansion Holiday Display
- Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto
- Christmas Ships Parade
- Peacock Lane
- Winter Gleam Light Experience at Oaks Park
- Beaverton Winter Lights
- Christmas on the Campground
- Schilling Lights on Lark
Make a night of it. This is stop 4 on our 8-stop Portland lights loop — about 25.5 miles and 93 minutes of driving in total.