Glow in the Wild Toronto Zoo 2026: A Lantern Trail Guide

Picture a walk where the animals are made of light and all you need to bring is a warm coat.

What is Glow in the Wild?

Glow in the Wild is a lantern experience at the Toronto Zoo, presented in partnership with the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto. The Zoo calls it an inaugural event. More than 2,000 handcrafted illuminated lantern displays line the trail.

Every lantern was handmade and hand-painted by artisans from Zigong, China. One installation tells the story of the Blanding’s Turtle, and it was created in collaboration with an Indigenous artist.

When does Glow in the Wild run?

It runs select evenings from September 3, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Most nights are Thursday through Sunday, with extra dates during the December holiday period. It does not operate on December 24 or 25.

Entry times vary by date, so the ticketing calendar is the place to check before you choose a night. The Zoo recommends buying in advance to secure your preferred date and entry time.

What is the trail like?

The route is about 1.5 km and passes through the Americas, Australasia and Core Woods areas of the Zoo. That is a comfortable evening stroll, and our advice is to leave room for stops: the point of a lantern trail is to linger at the ones that stop you in your tracks.

It is an outdoor experience that the Zoo expects to run in a variety of weather conditions. So dress for the night, not for the forecast on your phone. Food and beverage options are available too, which makes a hot drink halfway round a good plan. Strollers are welcome.

Is it the same as visiting the Zoo during the day?

No, and that is worth knowing before you book. Daytime Zoo admission and Glow in the Wild are separate experiences, and you need a valid ticket for your chosen date and entry time. Glow in the Wild does not include access to animals. Come for the lanterns and keep the animal visit for a daytime trip.

How do you get to the Toronto Zoo at night?

The TTC runs a shuttle on Route 200 Toronto Zoo between Meadowvale Loop and the Zoo. At Meadowvale Loop you can connect to or from Route 85 Sheppard East or Route 86 Scarborough. The Zoo’s page has the shuttle details, so check it as your date gets close.

That makes a transit night out feel doable for a Scarborough or east-end crew: ride the 86, hop on the shuttle, and let someone else do the driving home.

What else is lighting up Toronto this season?

Glow in the Wild is one stop on a long season of lights. Our Toronto Christmas lights guide splits the city into walk, ride and drive options, and our Christmas in Toronto guide has the wider calendar. For a lights-and-skating evening downtown, see the Cavalcade of Lights.

Send this to the friend you would bring to the lantern trail.