Philadelphia Zoo’s LumiNature Returns Featuring a New 110-Foot Ferris Wheel and Over a Million Holiday Lights

Philadelphia Zoo’s award-winning holiday light experience, LumiNature presented by PNC, is returning this season with its brightest and boldest display yet. From November 20, 2025, through January 3, 2026, visitors can explore the Zoo transformed into a glowing wonderland of over one million lights, immersive installations, and interactive experiences that blend nature, art, and holiday magic.

The highlight of this year’s event is the debut of the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel—a 110-foot observation wheel offering panoramic views of the illuminated zoo grounds and the Philadelphia skyline. This marks the first Ferris wheel in the Zoo’s 150-year history, adding a new vantage point to the city’s most beloved holiday tradition.

Guests can now enjoy the Zoo from above, taking in breathtaking sights of LOVE Park, Boathouse Row, and the Schuylkill River. The wheel’s enclosed gondolas hold up to six riders and accommodate all ages above 32 inches in height. Tickets can be purchased separately or as part of a LumiNature bundle, and Zoo members receive a discount.

“Winter at the Zoo is different and still a wonderful time to visit,” said Philadelphia Zoo President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. “This light show connects guests of all ages with animals, each other, and the beauty of our planet. We’re especially excited to debut the Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel, which will remain through Philadelphia’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.”

This year’s LumiNature features over a dozen illuminated installations, each themed around wildlife and the natural world. Returning favorites include the Penguin Prismatic Show, where a 40-foot penguin glows with 40,000 synchronized lights, and the Flamingo Tree, a 25-foot display made from 1,500 pink lawn flamingos.

New additions include Santa’s Lodge, an indoor winter retreat where visitors can meet Santa, sip hot drinks, and shop for gifts, and Jambi’s Solstice Saloon, a riverside bar serving cocktails and mocktails set to live music and vibrant light displays.

Other must-see attractions include:

• Flutter Flair – a 22-foot butterfly tree animated by the Zoo Key.

• Beary Sweet – a candy-themed zone filled with glowing gummy bears and sweet surprises.

• Snake Awake – an interactive light tunnel inspired by the vibrant hues of reptilian scales.

• Seasonbration – a spectacular display celebrating the four seasons on Earth beneath a glowing canopy of lights.

• Enchanted Fairy Forest – a 300-foot illuminated tunnel with fairies, trolls, and magical bubbles.

• The Call of Adventure – an indoor experience inside the Zoo’s Treehouse where storytelling meets exploration.

Guests can warm up with hot chocolate (spiked or classic), apple cider, candy cane pretzels, and s’mores kits available throughout the park. The Zoo’s food vendors will also feature holiday-inspired treats, while visitors can take part in hands-on activities such as cookie decorating, ornament crafts, and community tree voting in the “Our Neck of the Woods” display, where West Philadelphia neighborhood groups showcase animal-themed holiday trees.

Ticket bundles include:

• Admission + Pherris Wheel – access to LumiNature and one Ferris wheel ride.

• Date Night Package – admission for two, two s’mores kits, and two drinks.

• Igloo at the Zoo – a private luxury igloo for up to eight guests, featuring a firepit, drinks, and charcuterie.

Each visit to LumiNature helps support the Philadelphia Zoo’s mission to protect wildlife and inspire conservation action around the world. “LumiNature has become a true Philadelphia tradition,” said PNC Philadelphia Regional President Joe Meterchick. “It’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection—offering a view of the Zoo like never before.”

Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Hours: 5:00–9:00 p.m., with timed entry every 30 minutes
Tickets:

• Adults (12+): $22–$29

• Children (2–11): $18–$24

• Under 2: Free

• “Anytime Tickets”: $32 for adults, $27 for children