• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
JillBJarvis.com
  • Events Calendar
    • Houston Events for Today
  • What to do in Houston
    • Free Things to Do
    • Houston Mural Map
    • Houston Field Trips
    • Farms and Safaris
    • Houston Parks
  • Restaurants
  • Travel
    • Family Travel from Houston
  • Resources
    • Summer Camps
    • Party Venues
    • Applying to HoustonISD Magnet Schools
    • Find a Preschool
    • Find a Doctor
    • Moving to Houston
  • Connect with Us
    • About Jill
    • Sign Up for the Newsletter
    • Contact Jill at JillBJarvis.com
    • Work with Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Calendar
  • Any Day
  • Restaurants
  • Travel
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Work with JillBJarvis.com
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Calendar
    • Any Day
    • Restaurants
    • Travel
    • About
    • Resources
    • Contact
    • Work with JillBJarvis.com
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Houston Events » Holiday Events

    Zoo Lights: Beat the Crowds at the Houston Zoo!

    Modified: Nov 12, 2021 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

    Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo returns for November 15, 2021 – January 9, 2022! (Member preview nights start November 9, 2021.)

    Each night in November , December and early January, the Houston Zoo closes at 5:00pm… only to reopen with millions of lights at 5:30pm.

    This year, timed tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the gate.

    Christmas Light Throne at Houston Zoo Lights

    The least busy days are usually school nights. When you look online for your ticket, you will see the later in the evening you attend, the more you save. Also, if you can swing a later entrance time, there are often smaller crowds than at opening time.

    This year we went on a preview night at 8:00pm. (I know that's too late for a lot of families!) At this time, we easily found close parking and made it through the lights in about an hour. When we left around 9:00pm, the crowds were even smaller and there were really not waits for photo opps.

    So, if you have a later bedtime, you can beat some of the crowds and still have time to tour the zoo. If you need to get the little ones home earlier, I've been there too!

    Zoo members can buy discounted tickets (but free Zoo Lights admission is not included with membership). Military, First Responders and Educators are all eligible for 20% off admission. Also, kids two and under are free.

    Outside food and drink is allowed in the zoo. You can also bring in some glowsticks. (The zoo sells glowsticks and my kids always ask for them!)

    To find the current prices, visit the Zoo Lights website.

    When you, be sure to bring your old or broken holiday lights. Since 2016, over 24,000 pounds of holiday lights have been recycled at the Zoo. That's the weight of approximately two male Asian elephants!

    Find more Houston holiday festivals, lights and shows HERE!

    More Holiday Events

    • Dragon Dance Dragon for Lunar New Year
      Lunar New Year Houston... Year of the Rabbit!
    • Trumpet at Childrens Museum of Houston New Years Bash
      New Year's: Things to Do around Houston, with Kids, December 31 & January 1
    • Magical Winter Lights Castle
      Magical Winter Lights Houston
    • Street lined with Christmas Light Trees at University of St Thomas
      University of St Thomas Christmas Lights

    About Jill Jarvis

    Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

    She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

    Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

    This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    On JillBJarvis.com, you will find things to do in Houston, with kids! Find all the Houston events, things to do any day, restaurants and resources for local parents.

    Popular Posts

    • Bayou City Art Festival Bubbles
      What to Do in Houston Today, March 25 - April 9, 2023
    • Smile Yall are in Houston Mural
      What to Do in Houston with Kids Any Day
    • Midtown Park Boulder
      Houston Parks: Citywide Map, Pictures & Parent Reviews
    • Boys at the Beach
      Things to Do in Houston with Teens

    Featured On

    Go HERE for more media appearances!

    As Seen On Media Channels

    Browse Website by...

    • Parks
    • Farms and Zoos
    • Beach
    • Things to do

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jill
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 JillBJarvis.com