JUST TWO WEEKENDS REMAIN TO EXPERIENCE ILLUMINIGHTS: A LANTERN FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY GEORGIA POWER 

Only two weekends remain to experience the wonders of IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival presented by Georgia Power before the festival closes for the season after January 18, 2026. Usher in a new year inspired by the splendors of the natural world in the form of hundreds of hand-crafted lanterns on a mile-long stroll in an after-dark winter wonderland. IllumiNights is made possible with additional support from Beacon Sponsor Kaiser Permanente, Luminary Sponsor Cadence Bank, and Spark Sponsor SouthState Bank. 

Highlights include a more than 20-foot-long flower wall, archways, canopies, and interactive lanterns celebrating Earth’s flora and fauna. In keeping with Zoo Atlanta’s mission of conservation, each lantern is powered with environmentally friendly LED lights. 

Stay cozy with marshmallow roasts; warm beverages (adult spirits available for ages 21 and up); magical rides on the iconic Endangered Species Carousel; and limited-time experiences at the Wild Explorer VR Theater (additional purchase required). Snacks and meals are available for purchase at concession locations around the Zoo.  

The event will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.) on select nights through January 18, 2026. Because IllumiNights is an after-dark event, most animals will have gone indoors for the night and will not be visible; visit during the day to see members of the Zoo’s living animal population. 

Due to limited capacity, advance ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Get tickets, full event details, and answers to frequently asked questions at zooatlanta.org/illuminights. 

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.