Edinburgh Zoo lights up for the season with its returning Giant Lanterns trail, festive grottos, and seasonal experiences that run from mid-November into February. Some experiences need separate event tickets and zoo admission; other offers (like restaurants) are open during the season. This page lists what’s on this year, timings, tickets, and practical tips.
What to expect at Edinburgh Zoo during Christmas
Underwater lantern theme: Discover hundreds of illuminated sea creatures and magical figures handcrafted by Chinese artists using traditional techniques.
Immersive festive trail: Wander a 1.3 km route with glowing photo spots, soaring installations and enchanting soundscapes.
Food & drink stations: Warm up with hot comfort food, mulled wine, hot chocolate and snacks along the trail.
Santa experiences: Meet Santa in the Lantern Grotto on select December evenings (must be booked separately).
Workshops & family activities: Festive creative sessions including Wreath-Making Workshops and Breakfast with the Clauses on selected dates.
Accessibility options: Two Quiet Nights with reduced capacity and low music for visitors with sensory needs are also available.
Will I see any animals during the events?
Because most experiences take place in the evening, all animals will be tucked in for the night, so sightings are unlikely. But if you'd love to say hello to the residents of Edinburgh Zoo, you can book the VIP Package for a daytime zoo visit, an evening meal, and entry into Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns.
Edinburgh Zoo Christmas events
Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns
Dates: Nov 14, 2025–Feb 22, 2026
Timings: 4pm–9pm (last entry 8pm)
Location: Across the zoo grounds on the lantern trail
Included with admission: No, tickets sold separately (from £13)
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages
The experience follows a fin-tastic underwater theme, featuring hundreds of larger-than-life lantern installations of magical sea creatures. Each lantern is hand-crafted by Chinese artists using traditional techniques.
Festive Grotto
Dates: Selected dates between Dec 6 and Dec 24, 2025
Timings: 10:20am–3:30pm
Location: Budongo Trail Building
Included with admission: No, tickets sold separately (from £18)
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages
Make the festive season unforgettable for your little one at Edinburgh Zoo! This year, Santa Claus is setting up his Festive Grotto inside the Budongo Trail building. Come say hello to Santa and celebrate the holidays during your special zoo visit!
Giant Lanterns VIP Experience
Dates: Select dates between Nov 2025 and Feb 2026
Timings: 4pm–9pm (day access to the zoo from 10am)
Location: Zoo restaurants and lanterns route
Included with admission: No, tickets sold separately (from £30)
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages
Make your winter unforgettable with the exclusive VIP ticket! Enjoy access to the zoo from 10am on your chosen date. Then, indulge in a delicious two-course dinner before the nighttime event begins. As night falls, step out into the illuminated trail, featuring larger-than-life lantern sculptures.
Wreath-making workshops
Dates: Dec 6 & 7, 2025
Timings: 12:30pm–3pm
Location: Edinburgh Zoo
Included with admission: No, separate ticket required (from £52)
Age restrictions: 16+ recommended
Create a stunning festive wreath guided by experts, with all materials provided for a relaxed Christmas craft experience.
Breakfast with the Clauses
Dates: Dec 20–24, 2025
Timings: 9am–11am
Location: Edinburgh Zoo
Included with admission: No, separate ticket required (from £7.78)
Age restrictions: Suitable for all ages
Enjoy a festive breakfast with Mrs Claus and Santa before exploring the zoo during daytime hours.
Quiet Nights
Dates: Dec 17, 2025 & Feb 6, 2026
Timings: 4:45pm–7:30pm
Location: Lanterns route
Included with admission: No, tickets sold separately (from £13)
Age restrictions: Suitable for all
These sessions offer reduced capacity and low music levels with the mobility vehicle in operation, ideal for visitors with sensory needs.
Adults-Only Night
Dates: Dec 5, 2025
Timings: 4:45pm–7:30pm
Location: Lanterns route
Included with admission: No, tickets sold separately (from £20.70)
Age restrictions: 16+ only
Enjoy a child-free evening exploring the illuminated trail with festive drinks, perfect for couples, friends and work socials.
Plan your visit during Christmas at Edinburgh Zoo
Zoo opening hours (general):
November–December: 10am–4pm (last entry 1 hour before close). Closed Christmas Day (Dec 25).
Giant Lanterns: 4:45pm–9pm (last entry 8pm).
Lanterns Grotto: Selected evenings from 5:15pm–8:45pm in 10-min slots (Dec 6–24).
Best time to visit: Weekday evenings during non-peak runs for shorter queues; quiet-night sessions for lower sensory stimulation.
By bus: 12, 26, 31, 100 Airlink, Scottish Citylink 900/909, X38 Nearest stop: Silvan House
By car: Via B900 Nearest parking: Edinburgh Zoo on-site parking (£2)
Restrooms: Distributed across the zoo, with baby-changing facilities.
Lockers: A small number of lockers are available at the zoo’s reception on a first-come, first-served basis. They can accommodate cabin-sized bags, but not large suitcases.
Stroller/wheelchair rental: Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come basis.
Gift shop: The zoo shop sells souvenirs and animal-themed gifts; seasonal items are often available during the lantern run.
Dining options: Two restaurants (including The Gannet), one café, and several kiosks around the park; seasonal treats and hot drinks are typically available during the winter season.
Step-free & routes: The zoo is on a hill with slopes and some steps; accessible routes are signposted.
Wheelchair rentals: Wheelchairs and pushchairs are available for hire on arrival on a first-come, first-served basis.
Quiet Nights: Reduced capacity and lower sound levels for accessible enjoyment on selected dates.
Service animals: Only fully trained and accredited assistance dogs supporting a visitor may enter. Proof of accreditation may be requested.
Photography: Non-commercial photography is permitted.
Payments: All catering and retail outlets prefer card payments, so please ensure you bring a payment card.
Animals: Service dogs must be on a lead, kept under strict control, be fully vaccinated, and owners must clean up after their animals. Dogs or other animals cannot be left unattended in the car park.
The Gannet: Full-service restaurant serving locally sourced Scottish dishes; used for VIP evening meals and some special events.
Grasslands Restaurant/Penguins Café/kiosks: Casual dining and snacks around the park, offering hot drinks, seasonal treats, and hot meals.
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Zoo Christmas events
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.
