New | Entre Les Rangs, A Luminous Field of Lights

This award-winning exhibit, featuring a field of lights that call to mind wheat swaying in the breeze, will be a permanent installation at ZooLights this year. Take a relaxing stroll through the field as the reflecting lights shimmer and sway.

New | Animal Lanterns

This year, dozens of large animal lanterns will put the "Zoo" (and "Lights") in ZooLights. Pandas, monkeys, zebras, elephants and more — all crafted in China and beautifully lit from within — will be stationed around the park.

New | Pandamonium: A Virtual Experience

Put on a virtual reality headset and get up close to giant pandas Bei Bei, Bao Bao and their parents in this immersive film. Screening on select dates. See showtimes and get more details here.

They're Back: ZooTubes, sponsored by GEICO

The winter favorite returns! Guests can approach mach speed (more or less) when they hop into a tube and slide down the hill near the lion and tiger exhibits.

Laser Light Shows, sponsored by Pepco

Watch animals come to life in laser lights on the outdoor wall of the Elephant Community Center.

GRUMP Holiday Market

Shop at a European-style outdoor market that will double in size this year, featuring more local artisans offering unique gifts for all ages. GRUMP visits the Zoo on Dec. 6, 7 and 8.

Zoo Rides

In addition to the return of ZooTubes, sponsored by GEICO, take a merry tour on the Smithsonian's National Zoo Choo-Choo, which whisks guests around Kids' Farm and features gorgeous views of the holiday light displays. Hop on to your choice of 50 animal figurines at the Speedwell Foundation Conservation Carousel, which highlights the Zoo's incredible research and success stories.

Individual rides during ZooLights are $3.50 each. Guests can purchase a 10-ride punch card (a $35 value) for $25, or $20 for FONZ members.

Please note that ZooLights does not feature the Zoo’s animals. All indoor animal exhibits will be closed to allow animals to get a full night’s rest. Visitors will be able to warm up indoors in the Zoo's Visitor Center, Panda Plaza Gift Shop, Mane Grill and Great Cats Gift Shop.

Some ZooLights attractions are weather permitting and may not be open when temperatures are 35 degrees or below.