PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden · holiday lights
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The PNC Festival of Lights transforms the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden into a walk-through holiday display of 5 million LED lights, with illuminated scenes you wander on foot across the zoo grounds. It is included with regular zoo admission rather than a separate ticket, which makes it a high-value family evening on an Ohio RV trip. The zoo runs it as its flagship winter event.
Season
Mid-November through early January (2026–27 season Nov 19–Jan 3; dates set yearly)
Display
Walk-through · 5 million LED lights · Included with zoo admission
Where
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH
Nearest RV base
The zoo is a day-use attraction with no camping; nearest full-service RV bases are area campgrounds outside the city such as the Lebanon/Cincinnati NE KOA to the northeast — plan on a drive into the city for the lights.
Plan it honestly
The festival is included in zoo admission, but the zoo gets very busy on peak December nights, so buy admission online ahead and confirm the current season dates and hours on the zoo's page (the zoo closes Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and dates are set each year). The zoo is day-use with no camping, so base your RV at an area campground outside the city and drive in. It is an on-foot walk over zoo grounds — wear warm layers and comfortable shoes.
Confirm dates, tickets, and vehicle limits on the official page: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden — PNC Festival of Lights .