The 13th Winter Light Spectacular opens Friday, Nov. 13, at the Lehigh Valley Zoo. Opening night is a Friday, but most of what is new this season, and most of the best prices, land on Sundays through Thursdays. North Whitehall Township's own big holiday night is a Wednesday too.
The event runs 37 dates, from Nov. 13 through Saturday, Jan. 2. Opening night runs 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 5150 Game Preserve Rd. Closing times vary by date, so check the zoo's calendar for the night you choose. If you live nearby, you already know the lights. The useful part this year is which nights to pick.
What's New for Year 13
The Lehigh Valley Zoo's event page lists three new or rebuilt areas for 2026: Candy Land, Gingerbread Junction and an enhanced Whoville. The display is still 1.7 million lights, which the zoo says is more than any other Pennsylvania attraction. The zoo puts it on with Christmas Décor, Service Electric TV & Communications presents it, and Community Bank powers it. It is also the zoo's largest annual fundraiser. Event revenue supports the zoo's animal conservation projects and programs.
Two of the changes involve the animals rather than the lights. The Fred & Anne Jaindl Family Barnyard barn will now be open every night until 8 p.m. VIP tickets now include Animal Mingles with the zoo's education team in the Jingle Lodge Lounge. They run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and only on scheduled Sunday through Thursday dates. A Saturday VIP ticket still gets you into the lounge, but the Mingles are a weeknight feature.
The souvenir changed as well. WFMZ reported that for the first time in the event's history, the annual WLS Souvenir Tumbler is a light-up stein with three modes, and it comes with free hot chocolate refills. For guests 21 and older, Spirit Stations are open every night.
What a Ticket Costs, Depending on the Night
The zoo says regular prices are the same as in 2025. The prices that do move depend on the date and on when you buy:
| Ticket | Adult | Child, ages 2–11 |
|---|---|---|
| Opening night, Nov. 13, bought in advance | $13 | $13 |
| General admission, bought online in advance | $16 | $14 |
| General admission, bought at the event | $18 | $16 |
| Community Bank Kids Nights, Thursdays in December | Regular price | $10 |
| Zoo members, online in advance | $10 | $10 |
| VIP, online in advance | $35 | $32 |
| VIP, at the event | $36 | $33 |
Infants up to age 1 get in free, and there is no parking fee. Kids Nights fall on Thursdays: Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 31. Each child with a paid admission also gets a voucher for a free 12-ounce hot chocolate from Community Bank. On those nights a child's ticket costs $4 less than the advance price and $6 less than the gate price.
The gate price only applies if tickets are left. Because dates tend to sell out, the zoo strongly recommends buying online.
The Wednesday Lineup
Thursdays bring the kids' discount. Wednesdays bring most of the themed performances on the Service Electric stage. Here are the special nights through the end of the season, from the zoo's schedule:
- Friday, Nov. 13: Opening night, with Sally and Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas and $13 advance tickets.
- Friday, Nov. 20; Wednesday, Dec. 16; Saturday, Dec. 19: Popstar Nights, with performances by Rumi from KPop Demon Hunters.
- Saturday, Nov. 21: Military Appreciation Night, presented by Humana. Anyone who has served or is serving gets in free with a valid military ID.
- Wednesday, Nov. 25: Wicked Wednesday, with Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero.
- Wednesday, Dec. 2: Heroes Night, with Spiderman and Supergirl.
- Wednesday, Dec. 9: A meet-and-greet with The Mandalorian and Grogu.
- Wednesday, Dec. 16: Toy Story Night, with Jessie and Woody.
- Saturday, Jan. 2: The Prince & Princess Party closes the season.
Elsa performs every night, and Anna joins her every Saturday. Dan's Camera City is back with Santa photo packages on select dates through Dec. 23.
Two Sundays work differently. On Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, the zoo holds Sensory Inclusion Hours from 4 to 5 p.m. Those hours have lower contrast, lower volume and fewer guests. If loud music or crowds make the regular evenings hard for someone in your family, those two hours are scheduled with them in mind.
Wednesday, Dec. 2, Is the Township's Busiest Day
Dec. 2 also shows the weeknight pattern on North Whitehall's own calendar. It starts with the morning program and ends with the zoo's evening hours.
11 a.m.: The township's free monthly senior program is Holiday Trivia. On Tuesdays from Nov. 10 through Dec. 15, the township also runs chair yoga, with two time slots, at 3256 Levans Road.
5:30 p.m.: The 6th Annual North Whitehall Township Tree Lighting begins at Kolapechka Park, 4075 Coffeetown Rd. The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce and the township host it together. The township lists holiday music, performances, food trucks, activities and photos with Santa. The chamber's event listing adds real reindeer, hot chocolate, holiday vendors and kids' crafts. It gives this schedule:
- 5:30 p.m.: Opening remarks
- 6:15 p.m.: Dance performances
- 6:30 p.m.: Sponsor acknowledgments and elected officials
- 6:45 p.m.: Santa arrives, the tree is lit, and photos with Santa are free
Evening at the zoo: It's also Heroes Night at the Winter Light Spectacular, with Spiderman and Supergirl. The tree lighting ends at 7:30 p.m. and both events start around the same time, so check the zoo's calendar for that night's closing time before you plan to do both. If you go to both, buy the zoo tickets ahead, since a Wednesday with a themed performance may sell out.
Because the township lists the tree lighting with the rest of its 2026 events, check the township's events page for any weather updates closer to the date.
Picking Your Night
The calendar already sorts the choices. Opening night has the lowest adult price of the season, but it's a Friday the 13th that many people will be watching for. Animal Mingles and the barnyard work best on a Sunday through Thursday VIP night. The Thursday Kids Nights in December give the biggest discount on children's tickets. Wednesdays carry most of the character nights, and Dec. 2 adds the township tree lighting. The sensory hours on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6 come before the regular crowd arrives.
One date is worth adding now if it applies to you. The Saturday, Nov. 21 Military Appreciation Night offers free admission to anyone who has served or is serving, with a valid military ID. For group outings, the zoo sells advance tickets at $13 each for 20 or more people and $12 each for 100 or more. To book, call the zoo during business hours at (610) 799-4171.
Whether you go on a Wednesday or wait for the Princess Party on Jan. 2, we're grateful to share this season with our North Whitehall neighbors. At Michael Gibbons & Ed Schuch, we like hearing which night is your family's tradition. If the holidays bring you together with loved ones to talk about a home or a change ahead, Michael and Ed are glad to listen and answer questions at your own pace. Contact Us whenever you're ready.
