Lanterns Frequently asked questions

How long will the event last and what is included?

Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns is open on select evenings from 4:45pm until 9pm. The route within the zoo is approximately one mile long. We recommend allowing at least one hour to enjoy the event, although you may find your time differs depending on whether you stop for food, photographs or are walking at the pace of little ones! You can go round the route as many times as you like before we close the event at 9pm.

Our fin-tastic illuminated trail has an underwater theme and features hundreds of larger-than-life structural installations of magical creatures. These hand-crafted lanterns are made by Chinese artists using traditional techniques.

Food and drink will be available during the event and our gift shop will be open too.  

Why do I need to choose a time slot?

We ask you to pick an arrival timeslot when booking your tickets so we can manage capacity safely and make it an enjoyable experience for all. Slots are available every 15 minutes from 4:45pm, with the last available entry time at 7:45pm–8pm. If you expect to be there for longer than 1.5 hours, please consider choosing an earlier time slot.

Please note, in February when light levels change, the earliest slot to enter is at 5:30pm.

What time can I get into the event?

Please aim to arrive within your chosen time slot. The zoo will open at 4:45pm and last entry will be at 8pm.

If you are late to your timeslot, you can still enter provided it is before 8pm. If you arrive early for your slot, we may ask you to wait until your slot time due to capacity constraints.

If you are visiting the zoo in the daytime, you will be asked to exit at 4pm and re-enter at your pre-booked timeslot.  

Will I see any animals?

No, as the event takes place in the evening, our animals will be tucked up in their beds. We design the event route specifically around areas where animals will be least disturbed and as such it is unlikely you will see any.

If you’d like to see the animals during the day, we have a VIP package ticket which incorporates a visit to the zoo, evening meal and entry into Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns at a reduced rate.

Alternatively, if you booked Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns for the evening but want to visit the zoo that day, you can receive £10 off full price adult tickets and £5 off for full price child tickets by showing your event ticket, only valid for the lantern event date.

Please note, you will need to present your event ticket on arrival to receive the discount.  

If I buy a ticket to this event, can I come to the zoo in the daytime?

No, your Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns ticket does not give you admission to the zoo during daytime operating hours.

If you visit the zoo during the day, you can upgrade your full price zoo day tickets to include an Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns ticket on the same date for a discounted rate of £15 adult and £10 child, applicable against off-peak/standard/peak dates.

If you have booked Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns for the evening but want to visit the zoo that day, you can get £10 off full price adult tickets and £5 off for full price child tickets by showing your event ticket, only valid for the event date.  

Are the lanterns the same as previous years?

No, Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns are brand new for 2025 and we have developed an exciting new route and theme for their return.

Who is the event suitable for?

The event is suitable for all ages, families, couples, and groups alike. However, please be aware that the zoo is located on a hill and there will not be an accessibility vehicle available during the event. Mobility scooters can be hired for a refundable deposit of £25, or wheelchairs can be hired for a £10 deposit on a first come, first served basis.

We will be hosting two Quiet Nights for visitors with accessibility needs. These will take place on Wednesday 17 December 2025 and Friday 6 February 2026. Visitors to our Quiet Night can enjoy the beautifully-crafted lanterns in a peaceful environment with reduced capacity, low music levels and the mobility vehicle will be available.

We will also be hosting an adults-only night on Friday 5 December 2025.

We are a group, can we all come together?

Yes, groups are welcome to enjoy the event together. We offer discounted rates for groups of 15+ attendees, at £18 per person for adults and £13 per person for children. If you have any further questions regarding group rates, you can contact groups@rzss.org.uk.

Do under 3's go free?

Yes, children under the age of 3 can enter for free. An Under 3s ticket is required.

Where are tickets available?

Tickets can be booked online through our dedicated Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns page on the Edinburgh Zoo website. We may run offers and promotions through partners and third parties in the lead up to the event. We strongly recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets will only be available at the door if there is availability. On the day ticket prices begin 24 hours before the event start time.

How much are tickets?

Prices for tickets vary depending on the evening you are attending. View our event ticket price grid here.

Off-peak/Standard/Peak

• Adult (Age 16+): £19/£21.50/£23
• Child (Age 3-15): £14.50/£16/£17
• Adult RZSS Member: £16.20/£18.45/£17
• Child RZSS Member: £13/£14.40/£15.30
• Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children): £64/£72/£76
• U3: free
• Carers (with valid ID): free

Early bird tickets have 10% discount applied for a limited time only.

Please note that all tickets are subject to a booking fee in addition to the prices listed.

We offer discounted rates for groups of over 15, at £18 per person for adults and £13 per person for children. For travel trade bookings, please contact groups@rzss.org.uk.

If you’re a member of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), please make sure to bring your membership card alongside your tickets when you visit.

Can we use discounts and gift vouchers to purchase lantern tickets?

As this is a special event, we do not accept standard entry discounts such as Blue Peter Badges, ASVA cards, gift vouchers, Young Scot Cards, RZSS complimentary tickets, daytime corporate tickets, Scotrail Kids go free. Other discounts may also not be redeemed during this event. Please contact us on events@rzss.org.uk if you have any discount enquiries.

I have received a complimentary/reduced price voucher, how do I redeem this?

You can apply the code given to you during your online ticket transaction. Only one code can be used per transaction – please see the small print on your voucher for more information.

Do I need to print out my tickets?

No, we don’t require you to print your tickets. We can scan them from a mobile device.  

I don’t have my ticket confirmation, what should I do?

You should have received an email with your ticket information directly after booking. If you have not received this, have a look in your junk email folder. If you’re still having difficulties, email events@rzss.org.uk listing the date you booked, the name and email address you used to book and a contact telephone number.

Will the event go ahead in bad weather?

The event will still go ahead in wet weather. We would only cancel the event if the weather were deemed unsafe due to high winds or extreme conditions. See below if the event has been cancelled.

What happens if my event is cancelled?

Edinburgh Zoo will only cancel an event if it is deemed unsafe to attendees, for example in high winds or extreme conditions. If RZSS decides to cancel the event, attendees will be notified by email with as much notice as possible. An email will be sent to the email address used to book the tickets with further information. Attendees will be able to re-book another date subject to availability or obtain a refund at the discretion of the RZSS events team.

It is the responsibility of the attendees to check their emails before arriving at the event in case of any updates and to make sure email addresses are correctly entered when booking tickets. Updates will also be posted on our website and social media sites.

Tickets purchased through third-party sellers are also non-refundable, please email groups@rzss.org.uk with any third-party ticket queries.

What should I wear?

Please be aware that this is an outdoor winter event in Scotland, so please dress appropriately for cold and wet weather.

Is this event wheelchair and buggy accessible?

Yes, much like visiting in the daytime, wheelchairs and buggies can get around the route. Please be aware Edinburgh Zoo is situated on a hill, with the event route covering the lower half to be as accessible as possible. We do have some wheelchairs and pushchairs available for hire on arrival on a first come, first served basis.  Mobility scooters are also permitted during the event.

There will not be a mobility vehicle in operation at the event due to visitor numbers and because the route encompasses some smaller pathways not accessible by vehicles.

If you would like to attend when the zoo is less busy, please book your tickets for one of our Quiet Nights.

Can I change the date of our ticket?

Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and non-transferable. No refunds or exchanges will be issued for event bookings should you no longer be able to attend.

Tickets can be given to friends or family if you are no longer able to attend, ticket purchasers do not need to be the named person on the booking.

I have luggage, where can I leave it?

We have a small number of lockers for hire at the zoo’s reception where you can leave bags. These are available on a first come, first served basis and can accommodate cabin-sized luggage. We do not have facilities to store large suitcases.

Can I meet Santa during this event?

Our Lantern Grotto will be taking place on select evenings in December during the event. Pre-booking your grotto slot is essential. You can check our website for dates and timeslots available. Please note that tickets to our grotto must be purchased separately. Admission to Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns does not include meeting Santa unless you have a Lantern Grotto slot booked.  

How do I get to the zoo?

You can check our website for details on how to get to the zoo for this event.

You can park your car in the Edinburgh Zoo car park for the duration of the event. This costs £2 for visitors and is free for RZSS members. Please be aware that during busy nights, the car park may get full before you arrive. Advice on alternative parking arrangements can be found on our website.  

Are there cash machines on site?

No, there are no cash machines on site. All our catering and retail outlets prefer card payments, so please bring your payment cards to avoid disappointment.

Do I have to pay for car parking?

Yes, car parking is charged at £2 per vehicle and free for RZSS members. On arrival, the barrier will ask you to take a ticket. Please bring this ticket with you to be validated by our admissions team.

Please be aware that during busy nights, the car park might get busy before you arrive.

Advice on alternative parking arrangements can be found on our website.

What food and drink will be available?

A variety of food and drink offers will be available throughout the event, including hot and cold food, drinks and snacks.

Can we buy souvenirs during or after the event?

Yes, our main gift shop will be open during the event for any shopping needs.

Do carers get free entry?

Carer tickets are available, but you must provide proof on arrival alongside your tickets. A maximum of one carer is permitted to enter Edinburgh Zoo free of charge when accompanying someone who requires assistance.

Are assistance animals allowed?

Only fully trained and accredited assistance dogs, who are assisting a visitor, are permitted to enter. Please bring relevant proof of accreditation as this may be asked for on arrival.

All registered assistance dogs must be up to date with all inoculations. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and under strict control. Dogs must not be allowed to defecate anywhere in the zoo grounds and any incidents should be cleared away by their owners.

We do not permit dogs or other animals to be left unattended in the car park.

Is Giant Lanterns a sustainable event?

Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns will be lit using LED light bulbs that are recyclable and other materials used in creating the lanterns will all be re-used or recycled after the event.  

Conservation goes hand in hand with sustainability and we work hard to ensure our activities are as environmentally friendly as possible. We’re ISO 14001 accredited and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by 60% by 2030, with a bid to be net zero by 2040. In 2023, RZSS installed a solar meadow at Edinburgh Zoo comprised of 1,548 solar panels to support and contribute towards the zoo's electricity usage.  

As a wildlife conservation charity, events like Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns allow us to engage visitors with wildlife in a fun, memorable way, while supporting our ongoing conservation efforts. This immersive experience helps connect people with nature and raise awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats from coral reefs to sea birds and everything in between. Your visit helps support the zoo’s vital wildlife conservation work in Scotland and around the world.