Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration returns to the Birmingham Zoo on Saturday, November 21, and runs on select nights through January 3, 2027. The named addition this year is the Protective Carousel, which went back into service last month after a refurbishment and is now part of the after-dark event.
Glow Wild runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and is built around a mile-long outdoor trail of handcrafted lanterns, with more than one million lights across the route. The displays run from deep-sea creatures to birds, and the zoo puts the lantern count in the hundreds. It is presented by Chase with support from Baptist Health.
“Glow Wild has become a beloved holiday tradition for families across our community, and we’re excited to welcome guests back for another season of incredible lights, festive experiences, and opportunities to make lasting memories,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. “With the Protective Carousel back, two decorated trains and more than one million lights plus hundreds of handcrafted lanterns, this year’s celebration will offer something special for everyone.”
The carousel, and what it costs
The Protective Carousel is the one worth knowing about in advance. It carries 36 hand-carved animals rather than horses, arranged in three rows with two chariots, and it reopened on October 28 after a refurbishment. It is a separately ticketed ride, and so is the Red Diamond Express Train and the Wild Explorer VR experience, which is running a limited-time adventure called “Elf Power, Inc.” for the season. Food and drink are extra as well. General admission to Glow Wild buys the trail and the lights.
Dates worth putting in the calendar
Santa appears from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 27, 28 and 29, and on December 4, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23. There is an adults-only night for guests 18 and over on Thursday, December 3, which needs its own ticket.
Local school and community groups are performing on eight December evenings: the Springville Intermediate School Junior Choir on the 5th, the Side by Side Community Chorus on the 6th, the Dolly Ridge Elementary School Choir on the 10th, the Snow Rogers Elementary Choir on the 11th, the Pinson Valley High School Mariachi Band on the 12th, the John Carroll Catholic High School Choir on the 13th, the Vestavia Hills Elementary East Choir with the Birmingham Wind Ensemble on the 16th if weather permits, and the Vestavia Hills Elementary West Celebrated Singers on the 17th.
Advance tickets, including the 10 percent tax, are $25 for adults and $16 for children aged 2 to 12, or $19 and $12 for zoo members. At the gate those rise to $27 and $17, and $21 and $14 for members. The zoo caps nightly attendance and recommends buying ahead. Groups of 15 or more are handled by email.
Glow Wild does not operate on rainy nights. Tickets bought for an evening that gets rained out can be used on another night of the season, and the zoo posts weather closures on its website and social channels.
One thing to know before you plan the trip
Most of the zoo’s animals go indoors after dark, so a Glow Wild ticket is a ticket to the lanterns rather than to the collection. Some animals, flamingos and elephants among them, may have access to their outdoor habitats during the event depending on the weather, but the zoo is direct about this: guests who want a full day of animal encounters should come during regular daytime hours.
Which makes the carousel the one piece that works in both directions. It is a ride in daylight and a lit ride after dark, and the zoo’s own announcement treats its return as the reason to come back this year. The Birmingham Zoo ran its Halloween event in daylight this fall for much the same reason, and we wrote about that choice at the time.
Quick answers
- When is Glow Wild 2026?
It opens Saturday, November 21, 2026, and runs on select nights through January 3, 2027, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- What is new this year?
The Protective Carousel, which reopened in October after a refurbishment and carries carved endangered species rather than horses.
- How much does Glow Wild cost?
Advance tickets, including the 10 percent tax, are $25 for adults and $16 for children aged 2 to 12, or $19 and $12 for zoo members. At the gate they are $27 and $17, and $21 and $14 for members.
- Is the carousel included in admission?
No. The Protective Carousel, the Red Diamond Express Train, the Wild Explorer VR experience and food and drink are all ticketed separately.
- When does Santa appear?
From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 27, 28 and 29, and on December 4, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
- Is there an adults-only night?
Yes, for guests 18 and over on Thursday, December 3. It requires its own ticket.
- What happens if it rains?
Glow Wild does not operate on rainy nights. Tickets bought for an evening that is rained out can be used on another night of the season, and closures are posted on the zoo's website and social channels.
- Will the animals be out during Glow Wild?
Most of them go indoors after dark. Some, including flamingos and elephants, may have access to their outdoor habitats depending on the weather, but the zoo recommends a daytime visit for animal encounters.
