The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opened in 1875, which makes it one of the oldest zoos in the United States, and it still sits in the same leafy corner of Avondale, a few miles north of downtown. It is as much a garden as a zoo, with thousands of plant species planted around the habitats, and it has a long record in conservation and breeding programs. Most visitors arrive wanting to meet Fiona, the Nile hippo who became a local celebrity after her premature birth, but the gorillas, the African savanna, the manatees, the elephants and the big cats deserve just as much time. In winter the zoo is calmer by day and busy by night: from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 the PNC Festival of Lights fills the grounds with around five million LED lights, glowing animal lanterns and a light show on Swan Lake, and the zoo says the festival is included in zoo admission. This page links to a flexible Good Any Day entry ticket on Tiqets.
Hours and dates: the zoo opens at 10am every day. Before the festival starts, expect it to close in late afternoon, and Tiqets lists 10am to 5pm. During the PNC Festival of Lights, from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, it stays open until 9pm from Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and to 10pm every night from 20 to 31 December. The festival is dark on Thanksgiving (26 November), Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so check those dates before you plan a family evening around it.
Tickets and extras: the ticket linked here is a flexible entry that is good on any day, with access to the botanical garden, all the animal habitats and the daily keeper chats, and it can be cancelled or rescheduled up to 24 hours ahead. Parking is not included, and neither are the train, the carousel or animal encounters. During the festival the North Polar Express train and carousel run from mid-afternoon for an extra charge, Santa visits run from 4pm until 23 December, and puppet shows play at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30pm.
Making it count: on a winter visit, arrive in the early afternoon, see the animals in daylight while the indoor houses are warm and quiet, then stay on for the lights as darkness falls. Friday and Saturday nights in December are the busiest, so a weeknight in late November is the calmest time for the festival. The main parking lot is on Vine Street, with overflow lots opened on busy nights, and the zoo is a short drive or rideshare from downtown. Dress for the cold, wear comfortable shoes and allow time for hot chocolate.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided day at a large historic zoo and botanical garden, with keeper chats by day and, from 19 November, the PNC Festival of Lights after dark.
Best time
A weekday afternoon in late November, seeing the animals in daylight and staying for the lights once the festival opens on 19 November.
How long
Plan on three hours for the animals and add two more if you stay for the Festival of Lights.
Tips
Remember the festival is dark on Thanksgiving and on 24 and 25 December, budget separately for parking and the train, and dress warmly for an evening outdoors.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, animal lovers and anyone in town for the winter lights.
- Families
- Fiona the hippo, the gorillas and the festival train make this the easiest win in the city for children of every age.
- Couples
- A weeknight walk through the Festival of Lights with a hot drink is one of the most romantic things to do in Cincinnati in winter.
- Pair with
- The Cincinnati Museum Center and its Holiday Junction trains for a festive family weekend.
- Time needed
- Half a day, or most of the afternoon and evening during the Festival of Lights.
Good questions
Is the Festival of Lights included with a Cincinnati Zoo ticket?+
Yes, the zoo says the PNC Festival of Lights is included in zoo admission. Extras such as the train, the carousel and the igloo rentals cost more.
When is the 2026 Festival of Lights?+
It runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
What time does the Cincinnati Zoo open?+
The zoo opens at 10am every day. During the festival it stays open until 9pm Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Is parking included with zoo tickets?+
No, parking is a separate charge. The main lot is on Vine Street, and overflow lots open on busy festival nights.
Can I change the date of my Tiqets zoo ticket?+
The flexible ticket is valid on any day, and you can cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours ahead. Check the conditions on the booking page before you buy.
