Nashville Zoo Unveils New Holiday Experience: Glow Wild

Nashville Zoo has cancelled the 2026 Zoolumination Festival of Lights due to visa issues affecting its event partner, Inlight Festival Group. Since 2019, Nashville Zoo has proudly hosted the largest lantern festival in the United States. The event’s scale and artistry are made possible by the specialized craftsmanship of InLight Festival Group and its artisans that travel to Nashville from Zigong, China. The company’s expertise has created five years of magical displays for Zoolumination, making lasting memories for families around the country. Unfortunately, visa applications for this year’s artisans were denied, and the Zoo was unable to find a solution that would allow Zoolumination to continue this year.

Luckily, Nashville Zoo will still host a holiday event for the 2026 season! In Zoolumination’s place, the Zoo will host Glow Wild, a new holiday light show featuring glowing wildlife, holiday displays, and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree. The new event opens on November 13, 2026, and shines nightly through January 3, 2027, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased on the Zoo’s website.

The Glowing Details: 

• Guests can expect one-of-a-kind lighted structures exquisitely constructed featuring wildlife, colorful scenes, picturesque walkways, holiday scenes, and more.
• Glide under the lights on The Smashville Ice Rink presented by Nashville Predators.
• Visitors can warm up with holiday beverages and seasonal foods available throughout the pathways.
• Just in time for the holidays, guests are encouraged to spend time at The Holiday Square on Festival Field and meet Santa from Nov. 27, 2026 to Dec. 24, 2026.

Tickets 

• Single night tickets are $27; children under age 2 are free.
• Members save $5 per single night ticket.
• Platinum Pass allows unlimited visits throughout the festival dates and is $39 per person, children under age 2 free.
• The ice rink is $12 for nonmembers, $10 for members. Ice skates included.
• Note that advanced tickets are suggested, and it is a rain, snow, or shine event.

Nashville Zoo is partnering with Immersive Productions to develop and implement this event. Immersive Productions is a leading event producer, specializing in crafting and executing a wide range of events including exhibitions, music festivals, holiday attractions, and more. The brand has over 35 years of experience producing events and has captivated millions in the USA and Canada.

Glow Wild is supported by News 2. For more information about Glow Wild please visit www.nashvillezoo.org/glow-wild.