Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fairs & Festivals, In Person, New Year's Day, NYE - Quirky & Unusual, Tree + Holiday Lightings

New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival

Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Cost: $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.

Oakland Zoo | 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA

Event Details

“Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival at Oakland Zoo (Nov. 7-Jan. 25)

Glowfari returns in November 2025!

This wildly popular, family-friendly experience features hundreds of ALL new, larger-than-life animal lanterns throughout the Zoo. Each lantern tells the story of the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on our planet, and Oakland Zoo’s commitment to conservation.

This year’s experience includes new themes — explore the future of Oakland, learn about coexisting with wildlife, swim through the reef to see colorful underwater creatures, go on a safari through the savanna to spot iconic African animals, meet some interesting bugs that are all around us, and end the night by taking the train through the reptile world.

Finish your experience with a train ride through an Avian Odyssey, with our winged, feathered friends from parrots to puffins!

Glowfari takes place November 7, 2025-January 25, 2026
Glowfari is Closed on November 10, 11, 17, 18, & 27, December 24 & 25, and January 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, & 20.

All Ages | 4:30pm to 9:00pm

Parking: Free

Visit Santa in the Rides Area Fridays – Sundays in November and every night December 1-23 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm (line closes at 8:45pm). Please note, Santa’s hours are subject to change and he may have to head back to the North Pole if it gets too wet.

Glowfari tickets roll on sale online 28 days in advance of each visit date at 9:00am each day. Tickets have typically sold out in the past, so purchase your tickets early. Please note that the lowest adult price we could find is $30.75. Pricing is dynamic, so book early.

 

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Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Fairs & Festivals, In Person, New Year's Day, NYE - Quirky & Unusual, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: 9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA

Thursday, January 1, 2026

7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
10:00 am   Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design  FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals  FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
5:00 pm   SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers  FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
5:00 pm   SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
5:00 pm   SF’s DFT New Year’s Day: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*FREE with RSVP
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
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