Exploring Glowfari at Oakland Zoo: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024-2025 Visits
Cracking Nighttime Magic: A Guide to Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
Winter nights at Oakland Zoo usually mean an early Bedtime for the furry and feathered residents. But this year, say goodbye to the cold darkness and hello to a brilliant spectacle! The zoo's solution to the winter eeriness is a mesmerizing event you don't want to miss - Glowfari!
Ditch your winter grumps and embrace the glow, as this annual event becomes a whopping mile-long extravaganza of light, sculpture, and music. It's the perfect reason to trade your cozy pajamas for a zoo adventure after sunset!
The Glowfari magic boasts a complete makeover of the zoo, stealing hearts with its ingenious take on traditional Chinese lanterns. The metal lanterns are enveloped in fabric and illuminated from within, casting an otherworldly radiance that enhances the experience once the sun calls it a day.
But there's a twist - these aren't any ordinary theme lanterns. They're animal-themed, showcasing some of the very creatures you can visit during the day at the zoo! And hey, they're not kidding about the size either. These lanterns are epic, with many standing taller than visitors and captivating onlookers with their glowing, sometimes even moving delights.
So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready to venture into a world of wonder with our comprehensive guide to Glowfari at Oakland Zoo!
When to Visit Glowfari in 2024-2025?
Can't wait to join the Glowfari festivities? Snag your tickets now! Tickets for the 2024-2025 season have already gone on sale in November and are readily available on the zoo's official website.
But before you mark your calendars, here's the schedule:
- November 8-10, 13-17, 20-27, 29-30, 2024
- December 1-23, 26-31, 2024
- January 1-5, 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 2025
That's right - Glowfari is no longer a holiday-exclusive event! Now, you'll have even more opportunities to seek out Glowfari's illuminated creatures on those frigid, drab nights when there's usually nothing but sleepy animals to see.
How Much Do Glowfari Tickets Cost?
Good news for wallets! Glowfari tickets are budget-friendly compared to other Bay Area activities. The cost varies depending on the night and how early you book, ranging between $27 to $40.[2][3]
Zoo members can take advantage of a 10% discount, and the best part? Entrance is free for kids under 2!
Oh, and did we mention you'll lose nothing in the parking department? Yes! Parking was, is, and always will be free!
Just remember that tickets are timed and reservations are a must - with the event's overwhelming popularity, you'll need to snag those online tickets well in advance of your visit.
Exploring Glowfari at Oakland Zoo
As you waltz into the magical world of Glowfari, you'll be greeted by towering "wings" near the flamingo pond. From there, the zoo is your oyster, and visitors can roam freely, encountering brilliantly illuminated animal lanterns at every turn.
The 2021 edition of Glowfari unveiled a plethora of new lanterns, making the event bigger and better than ever! If you attended the 2020 edition, you may recall a more subdued, smaller event - perhaps due to Covid-19 restrictions.
But fear not, because the zoo went all-in, adding more lanterns year after year. The 2023-2024 season was bigger than ever, even introducing a whole section dedicated to polar animals and a breathtaking under-the-sea display.
Feeling lucky? Take a peek at our video of the 2021 edition or experience it in person to see what the hype is all about!
What's New at Glowfari in 2024-2025?
Eager to see what's in store for 2024? Sky's the limit! Here are a few exciting additions to the 2024 editions:
- Nile river section
- Farm section with cow lanterns, chicken lanterns, and more
- Mountain section featuring ibex and alpaca lanterns
- Dinosaurs!
Best Bits to See at Glowfari
Take a swim with the octopus! Well, not in reality, but one of our favorite exhibits from years past made us feel like we were part of something epic. The massive octopus even invites you to crawl inside.
And don't forget to wander through the massive African savannah area, where you can mingle with life-sized versions of pachyderms, giraffes, and peacocks whose rainbow-colored features extend to reveal seemingly endless height. Wanna dance? There are also light-up swings and a lit dance floor for you and your offspring to boogie the night away!
For a truly majestic view, hop aboard the Oakland Zoo's gondola and drift silently through the Oakland Hills. It's like floating in a magical dream!
Once you reach the top, immerse yourself in the arctic animal section, where you'll find a whopping 65-foot-long tunnel of ants that promises delight for the little ones. And hey, keep your eyes peeled for the moving, giant reindeer!
Additional Activities and Food at Glowfari
Feeling peckish? Head over to the Tuskers Grill near the entrance or the Landing Cafe atop the Oakland Hills for scrumptious noshes. Note that the cafes serve unique, Glowfari-themed dishes during the event.
The zoo's train is in operation during Glowfari, gently shuttling you through enclosures filled with dozing wallaroos and emus. You might even get a peek at the snoozing tortoises, snuggled under their heat lamps!
Wondering how long it'll take to stroll through Glowfari? On our 2021 visit, we spent nearly three hours marveling at the wonders. If you're willing to budget more time, we recommend an extra hour to be on the safe side.
Have little ones in tow? No worries! They'll have a ball hanging out near the giraffe, lion, and elephant areas without hopping on the gondola.
Our Take on Glowfari
Hold on to your hats, because you'd think a zoo-sized light display would be garish or tacky. But word to the wise - Glowfari is anything but! Each lantern is a hand-painted work of art, preserved for years and designed to evoke a feeling of wonder.
The zoo's musical selections are icing on the cake - speakers scattered among the lanterns pipe popular music themed around animals. We were treated to Elton John's "Crocodile Rock," Ylvis's "What Does the Fox Say?," and Katy Perry's "Roar," among others!
Of course, there's no shortage of holiday music too.
Glowfari is much more than just a nighttime lantern display. It's a fantastic way to support the Oakland Zoo, which relies heavily on visitor admissions and came dangerously close to permanent closure due to Covid-19. The zoo partners with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. to run the event and create stunning, authentic lanterns.
By attending Glowfari, you're not only marveling at artistic creations but also lending a helping hand to the zoo's real residents! So, cozy up, bundle up, and prepare to immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind illuminated adventure!
- If you're looking to upgrade your winter night out, the Glowfari event at Oakland Zoo offers more than just light displays. Enjoy a fusion of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and entertainment with a mile-long extravaganza of illuminated sculptures and music.
- The Glowfari event provides an opportunity to explore home-and-garden ideas, as you'll see enchanting structures and landscaping that'll inspire your next DIY project.
- For travel enthusiasts, Glowfari offers a glimpse into various cultures, as the event showcases lanterns inspired by traditional Chinese ones with innovative modern twists. This makes it a perfect introduction to the artistry of fashion-and-beauty from different countries.
- For sports fans, the event offers an energetic atmosphere, with activities like light-up swings and a lit dance floor available for visitors, even children, to enjoy. Catch a piece of the action and let your competitive spirit soar!
