Tickets Sales Start Tuesday, October 20!
Event Dates: November 6 - January 31.
This wildly popular, family-friendly experience is returning for its seventh year! Glowfari showcases hundreds of all-new animal lanterns throughout the Zoo.
Oakland Zoo takes pride in continuing this tradition while offering a new experience every year! This year Glowfari features new themes for guests to explore, including California forests, San Francisco Bay, Montana plains, Florida Everglades, and Hawaii rainforests, highlighting the biodiversity of these regions and how species interact with their habitats.
General Admission
Our plan-ahead ticket pricing offers savings on tickets purchased in advance. The earlier you purchase tickets, the more you save. Tickets are sold 28 days out starting on Oct. 20th.
VIP Experience
NEW to Glowfari! Enjoy Glowfari with an exclusive VIP experience, including preferred entry, reserved indoor hospitality space, premium food service, and Gondola Express Pass privileges.
Glowfari Enhancements
If you have already purchased Glowfari admission tickets, consider enhancing your experience with pre-purchased drinks, a light-up toy, or a Gondola Express Pass.
Glowfari Calendar
Holiday Events at the Snow Building
Celebrate the holidays at Oakland Zoo with a private event in the Snow Building, with stunning views of the Bay at sunset, followed by an evening at Glowfari
Visit Glowfari, Stay in Oakland!
If you're planning to visit Glowfari, why not book a stay to experience the #1 Best Food City in the U.S.? Oakland offers a wide range of places to stay, from downtown hotels to boutique options in lively neighborhoods. Our sponsors, Visit Oakland, have you covered with the best hotel recs in the Town!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance can I purchase or reserve a ticket?
Glowfari tickets roll on sale online 28 days in advance of each visit date at 9:00am each day. Click here for a helpful guide to find out when tickets go on sale for the date you would like to visit.
How long does Glowfari run?
Glowfari takes place from November 6 to January 31. Glowfari is closed on November 9, 10, 16, 17, 26; December 24 & 25; and January 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, and 26.
Do members get in free for Glowfari?
No. Oakland Zoo members will receive a 10% discount for Glowfari admission. Remember to use the ticket link for Members above to receive your 10% discount on Glowfari tickets. If a member purchases full-price General Admission tickets, we are not able to accommodate retroactive price adjustments.
Do members need to make a reservation?
Yes. All guests, including members, are required to make a timed ticket reservation for Glowfari.
Are there large group discounts available for Glowfari admission?
No. We do not provide discounts on tickets for large groups for this event. If you are planning to attend Glowfari with a large party, please note that 25 is the maximum number of tickets per online order. In order to purchase more than 25 tickets, you’ll need to complete multiple online orders. If your group is arriving by bus, please reach out to [email protected] to make parking arrangements.
I purchased a daytime admission ticket. Can I use it for Glowfari instead?
No. Daytime admission tickets cannot be applied towards or used for Glowfari admission.
Can I stay in the Zoo for Glowfari if I’ve reserved a daytime ticket for the same day?
No. All daytime guests are cleared from Zoo grounds before Glowfari opens. If you would like to visit the Zoo during the day and stay for Glowfari, you will need to purchase both daytime admissions tickets (or a Zoo membership) and Glowfari tickets.
What are Glowfari hours?
Ticket entry times are between 4:30pm and 6:30pm. Entrances close at 7:30pm, re-entry allowed until 8:30pm. All guests must exit Glowfari by 9:00pm.
Will Santa be at Glowfari?
Visit Santa in the Rides Area, Fridays through Sundays, November 6–15. From November 20–December 23, Santa will be in the Rides Area every night. You can visit Santa from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (line closes at 8:45 pm). Please note that Santa's hours are subject to change, and he may need to head back to the North Pole if it gets too wet.
Can I buy food & beverage at Glowfari?
Yes. Snacks and beverages (including hot chocolate) are available at The Landing Café, Tuskers Grill, Safari Café, and our snack carts.
What are the Glowfari hours of the restaurants, snack spots, and gift shop?
Tusker's Grill: 4:30 pm to 8:30pm - Daily
The Landing Café: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Daily
Safari Café: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Weekends & Holidays only
Savanna's Edge: 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm - Daily
Children's Zoo Cart: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Daily
Black Bear Cart: 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm - Daily
Snack Carts: 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm - Weekends & Holidays only
Gift Shop: 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
*Restaurant/Snack Spots/Gift Shop hours are subject to change.
Will the Rides Area be open during Glowfari?
Yes. The Rides Area will be open from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Please note: The last Rides Area tickets are sold at 8:30 pm. All passengers wishing to ride the train must be in line with tickets by 8:00 pm. Train ticket sales may close early based on queue length. All hours and availability are weather permitting and subject to change.
Will the Gondola be open for Glowfari?
Yes. The Gondola will be open and festively lit, taking you up to California Trail to see more unique lanterns. Please note: The Gondola line will close at 7:45 pm, and the last ride down from California Trail will be at 8:30 pm.
Is re-entry allowed during Glowfari?
Yes. Re-entry is allowed before 8:30pm with a handstamp.
Will live animals be visible?
No. Oakland Zoo animal residents will be in their indoor areas and not visible to Glowfari guests.
Can I touch the Glowfari lanterns?
No. Each sculpture is a hand-painted work of art that we would like to preserve not only for the entirety of the event, but for years to come.
Can I reschedule my tickets to Glowfari?
Glowfari tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable to another date.
Tickets will only be refunded if Glowfari is closed due to inclement weather or other emergency situations.
Glowfari tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable to another date.
If Glowfari is canceled for any reason, we will notify all ticket holders via email and issue full refunds. Closures will also be announced on our website and social media platforms by 3:00pm on the event day.
Can I apply my Glowfari tickets towards the cost of an Oakland Zoo membership?
No. Glowfari tickets are not eligible for an upgrade to a membership.
Can I use my EBT Snap Card for Glowfari?
No. Our Bay to Zoo Tickets program offers deeply discounted admission for regular daytime operating hours and does not include benefits for special events, like Glowfari.
Someone in my party is sensitive to light, noise, or other stimulation. Can you help us plan ahead?
Yes. During Glowfari, music is played throughout the Zoo, so if someone in your party is sensitive to noise, consider bringing noise-cancelling headphones. Some areas of the Zoo including the Main Entrance and Children's Zoo may be triggering for those who are sensitive to light or are prone to seizures.
Can I buy Glowfari tickets as a gift?
Yes, however all Glowfari tickets purchases are visit date/time specific. We do not offer admission ticket gift certificates or vouchers that allow the recipient to make their own reservation or visit without making an advance reservation.
To purchase tickets as a gift:
Find out when the gift recipient would like to visit the Glowfari.
Purchase tickets up to 28 days in advance of the desired visit date.
Remember with Plan Ahead Pricing, purchasing further in advance will come with savings!
Share the PDF tickets with the gift recipient.
Do I need to reserve Glowfari tickets?
Yes. A timed ticket reservation is required for Glowfari.