Frequently Asked Questions

Your Zoo Lights Tickets will be attached to an email you received when you purchased them.

This email should arrive in your email inbox within 30 minutes of your online order.

If you do not see this email check your junk, spam or promotions folder. No luck? Contact us at (204) 927-6098 or info@assiniboinepark.ca so we can fix this in advance. Please have details ready (e.g. name, date of purchase, # of tickets) so our team can help you as quickly as possible!

No. You may enter the Zoo at the time indicated on your ticket and 30 minutes thereafter. For example, if your ticket time is 7:00 pm, you my enter from 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm.

There is no designated exit time based on your ticket entry time. Zoo Lights closes at 10:00 pm every night.

We strongly recommend purchasing your tickets online. If you are not able to purchase online, we welcome you to purchase tickets at the Zoo entrance during daytime hours (9:00 am - 4:00 pm). Please note that the Zoo will be closed on Christmas Day, December 25.

Capacity is limited by time slot, so if you plan to purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive at the event, you risk that tickets may not be available at that time or for the rest of the night. 

No, there are no additional tickets at the gate. The ticket availability you see online is the same at the Zoo entrance.

There is a large parking lot located at the Zoo entrance at 2595 Roblin Boulevard. Parking in front of the Zoo is limited.

An additional parking lot is located along Zoo Drive, just East of the Zoo inside Assiniboine Park. A lit pathway connects the Zoo Drive parking lot to the entrance on Roblin Boulevard. See the Park map.

Please consider carpooling, active transportation, or public transportation.

Yes. If you want to exchange your tickets for another available day/time, a ticket exchange fee of $10/transaction will apply. To exchange your tickets, go to the Zoo Lights Ticket Exchange section of our web store at least eight hours before your scheduled Zoo Lights visit.

NOTE: Black Friday BOGO tickets cannot be exchanged through our web store. Please contact our Visitor Services team at (204) 927-6099 to request an exchange. Hours of operation - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. All other terms and conditions apply.

Tickets are nonrefundable.

Exchange Policy Terms and Conditions

No REFUNDS. Exchanges only subject to the following conditions:

• Only tickets purchased through our ONLINE webstore are eligible for ticket exchanges.
• Tickets may be exchanged in advance by going to the Zoo Lights Ticket Exchange section of our web store. Exchanges must be completed at least eight hours before your scheduled Zoo Lights visit.  
• Exchanges are subject to availability. We cannot guarantee that future dates or time slots will be available.
• A $10 exchange fee will be applied to all transactions, plus applicable fees.
• Tickets can only be exchanged to a different date of Zoo Lights, not to a different event or regular Zoo admission.
• Complimentary tickets received through sponsorship or promotions are not eligible for exchange.

No, the Zoo is a smoke free facility. This policy also applies to vaping. Smoking of any kind is not permitted in the Zoo. 

If you leave Zoo Lights to smoke or vape, you will not be permitted to re-enter. 

No, pets are not permitted in the Zoo. 

Service animals are permitted in most areas of the Zoo. For the health and safety of all the animals, the service animal's vaccination papers must be presented upon arrival at the Zoo. Pets left in a car will result in Animal Services being called.

Zoo Lights will proceed rain, snow, or shine. The Zoo will only be closed in the case of extreme weather. Notices regarding Zoo closures will be posted on the Zoo Lights home page by 2:00 p.m. on the day of the closure. Ticket holders that have purchased online will be contacted by e-mail. 

WEATHER CANCELLATION - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

Due to inclement weather (extreme cold), Zoo Lights is cancelled for the evening of Thursday, December 12.

If you’ve purchased tickets for this evening, please check your email for transfer and refund information. 

For information on how to receive your transfer or refund, please visit our website.

The deadline for requesting a transfer or refund for the December 12 cancellation is Friday, December 20, 2024.

Yes, you can bring outside food and drink into the Zoo. However, outside food and drinks are not permitted in the Tundra Grill. 

Meals, snacks, treats, and drinks are available to purchase at the event! 

Yes! 

We are kindly asking visitors to refrain from dressing up as Santa or Mrs. Claus and engaging with other guests in character while attending Zoo Lights. All Zoo Lights entertainment, performers and activations must be approved, coordinated and overseen by our teams here at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy. 

Yes, we accept Access 2 cards at Zoo Lights.

When a person who requires a support worker attends Zoo Lights, that individual pays the full admission rate, however the support person may enter free of charge as they are accompanying someone who could not visit without support. 

If you are purchasing tickets online for an individual that will attend Zoo Lights with a support worker, please add a free infant ticket to your cart for the support worker to help us manage capacity. Upon your arrival, present your Access 2 card or support worker ID to a staff member. 

All formal pathways within Zoo are relatively flat. Primary pathways in the Zoo are made of asphalt or paving stones. There are pathways made of mulch at the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre and the Tundra Trail. There will be mulch flooring in the Marquee entertainment tent.

Mats will be laid across some pathways to cover electrical wires, which will cause some raised sections. 

Our grounds team will make every effort to ensure pathways are clear of snow and ice before the start of the event each night. 

Accessible washrooms are located at the Zoo entrance, Tundra Grill, and along the west side of the Zoo near the Marquee tent. 

Animated, flashing lights are present in two areas: Tundra Trail, and the McFeetors Heavy Horse Centre. Individuals with sensitivities to flashing lights may want to avoid those two areas. 

We are excited to be hosting a sensory night at Zoo Lights on Wednesday, December 11! During this event, flashing lights will be turned off. Visit our Zoo Lights Home page for details.

Dress for the weather! Zoo Lights is primarily an outdoor experience.

If you need to warm up, fire pits will be located throughout the Zoo and the Tundra Grill will be open for indoor dining. The Marquee tent is heated.

The rest of the experience is outdoors. Check the forecast, dress for the weather, stay warm and dry and you will have a wonderful time!

The entire Zoo will not be open. Zoo Lights will take place along a designated path within the Zoo. While it is possible you may see some animals, it will be dark and most of them will be put to bed for the night. If you are interested in seeing all the animals at the Zoo, come back during daytime Zoo hours of operation! The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Yes! The Polar Playground is located inside the Tundra Grill. It's a great spot to play and warm up!