NOW OPEN – ILLUMINIGHTS: A LANTERN FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY GEORGIA POWER

Earth’s wonders in lights make the holiday season glow  

WHAT:  The wonders of the natural world are all aglow with the return of IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival presented by Georgia Power, opening for the season on Friday, November 21, 2025. The signature after-dark experience features more than 200 new lanterns highlighting the splendors of nature. IllumiNights is made possible with additional support from Beacon Sponsor Kaiser Permanente, Luminary Sponsor Cadence Bank, and Spark Sponsor SouthState Bank.  

Guests will enjoy a mile-long stroll among breathtaking, artisan-crafted lantern displays celebrating Earth’s flora and fauna, from the oceans to the skies to the inspirational wild places in between. New highlights include a more than 20-foot-long flower wall, archways, canopies, and interactive lanterns. In keeping with Zoo Atlanta’s mission of conservation, each lantern is powered with environmentally friendly LED lights.  

Keep the evening festive with marshmallow roasts; warm beverages (adult spirits available for ages 21 and up); rides on the iconic Endangered Species Carousel; and one-of-a-kind holiday photo ops. Snacks and meals are available for purchase at concession locations around the Zoo, along with limited-time souvenir cups.   

At Zoo Atlanta’s Wild Explorer VR Theater, guests can choose one of two limited-time virtual reality experiences: Elf Power Inc., a heartwarming holiday adventure, or Thrill Coaster Shanghai, the world’s highest virtual reality roller coaster (additional ticket purchase required). Both are presented in partnership with Immotion.  

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.  

WHEN: Friday, November 21, 2025, through Sunday, January 18, 2026, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  

WHERE:   
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E.
Atlanta, GA  30315  

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org  
404.624.2812 

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
404.624.5980
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org  

ABOUT: 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.