Your guide to Christmas at Edinburgh Zoo

No. Event tickets for Giant Lanterns and grotto experiences are separate, but grotto tickets require zoo admission to be purchased alongside the grotto slot; Giant Lanterns tickets are sold specifically for the evening event.

Yes. Children under 3 can enter free of charge, although an Under 3s ticket is required.

No. Tickets do not need to be printed; they can be scanned directly from a mobile device.

Yes. Giant Lanterns and special sessions have limited capacity. Quiet nights and adults-only evenings purposefully reduce capacity; book early to secure entry.

Arrival timeslots ensure safe capacity management and an enjoyable experience for all visitors. Slots are available every 15 mins from 4:45pm, with the last available entry time between 7:45pm–8pm. If you expect to stay longer than 1.5 hours, you are encouraged to choose an earlier slot. In February, when light levels change, the earliest entry slot moves to 5:30pm.

Please arrive within your selected timeslot. The zoo opens for the event at 4:45pm, with last entry at 8pm. If you arrive late but before 8pm, you will still be permitted entry. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait for your slot due to capacity limits. Visitors with a daytime zoo ticket will be asked to exit at 4pm and re-enter at their pre-booked evening slot.

No. Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns tickets do not include daytime entry. Daytime guests can upgrade to add evening lantern entry on the same date for a discounted rate of £15 per adult and £10 per child, valid across off-peak, standard, and peak dates. If you have booked the lantern event for the evening and want to visit during the day, you can receive £10 off full-price adult tickets and £5 off full-price child tickets by showing your event ticket — valid only on the date of your lantern event.

Yes, the Lantern Grotto takes place on select evenings in December during the event. Pre-booking is essential. Tickets for the grotto must be purchased separately, and admission to Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns is not included.

Yes. The Lanterns trail and grotto are family-friendly, although some evenings are designated adults-only; grotto slots are short and geared to younger visitors.

Yes, the event will go ahead in wet weather. Cancellation will only occur if conditions are deemed unsafe, such as in high winds or extreme weather. If RZSS cancels an event, you will be notified by email using the address provided at booking. You will have the option to re-book another date (subject to availability) or request a refund, at the discretion of the RZSS events team. You are responsible for checking your email before arriving. Updates will also be posted on the website and social media channels.

The illuminated trail within the zoo is approximately 1.3km long. Allow at least one hour to enjoy the event, although the time taken may vary depending on factors such as food breaks, photo stops, or walking with little ones. You are welcome to walk the route as many times as you like until the event closes at 9pm.

Most animals are not on view during the evening lantern sessions; if animal viewing is a priority, visit during daytime opening hours and return for the lanterns after.

This is an outdoor winter event in Scotland, so visitors should dress warmly and be prepared for cold and wet weather.