Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
For the first time in its more than 150-year history, this Pennsylvania zoo is adding a feature that will give guests a bird’s-eye view of not only its holiday show but also America’s 250th birthday next year. The Philadelphia Zoo will debut a 110-foot ferris wheel for the 2025 LumiNature holiday celebration that includes more than 1 million holiday lights, a “Penguin Prismatic show” with a 40-foot tall penguin shining with 40,000 lights and a 25-foot tall pink flamingo tree made out of 1,500 lawn ornament flamingos. The observation wheel will be located where the former zoo balloon was. Each gondola can hold six passengers who will see “breathtaking scenes” of not only the zoo lights but the city skyline, the Schuylkill River, Philadelphia Art Museum and Boathouse Row. Guests must be at least 32-inches tall to ride the ferris wheel and must be accompanied by an adult. The ride lasts about 7 minutes. Ticket prices will vary by date. The wheel is located just past the main entrance and will be open during the zoo’s daytime hours and LumiNature nighttime hours. It will open on Nov. 20 with LumiNature and then remain at the zoo through 2026 for America 250 - the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to the ferris wheel, the zoo said other new attractions for 2025 will include Santa’s Lodge, Jambi’s Solstice Saloon, an expanded Igloo at the Zoo, new ticket packages and a ferris wheel lighting ceremony with the date to be announced. Alongside the new features are returning favorites that will include River Adventure, Arctic Trek, the Enchanted Fairy Forest, Seasonbration, Philadelphia Zoower, the Call of Adventure, the Penguin Prismatic Show with Pixel the Penguin, Beary Sweet, Flamingo Fancy and the Flamingo Tree, Snake Awake, SEPTA PZ Express train, the Magic Fountain and Flutter Flair. LumiNature opens on Thursday, Nov. 20, then will be open most nights through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Timed tickets are available for entry every half hour. Tickets for adults ages 12 and older are $22 to $29, children ages 2-11 are $18 to $24, and children under 2 are admitted free. Anytime tickets - $32 for adults and $27 for children - allow visits to LumiNature any night without advance reservations. Ticket bundles are available for LumiNature and the ferris wheel; Date Night tickets for two with two s’mores kits and two drinks; and Igloo at the Zoo for up to eight people with a private firepit, s’mores, beverages and charcuterie (available starting Dec. 1). The Philadelphia Zoo is home to more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals. It also has state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, award-winning animal exhibits and education and conservation programs. The zoo also implemented Zoo360, “a first-in-the-world system of see-through trails passing through treetops, crossing over pathways and connecting habitats, providing animals like amazing big cats, majestic primates, and marvelous monkeys more opportunities to travel and explore.” What is LumiNature? LumiNature is the zoo’s nature-inspired holiday light show. There are more than a million lights in the show around the zoo. When is LumiNature? LumiNature opens on Thursday, Nov. 20. It will be open most nights through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Timed tickets are available for entry every half hour. What is the “Pherris” Wheel? The 110-foot ferris wheel is the zoo’s latest attraction. Visitors can ride a gondola on the wheel to get treated to a sky-high view of the zoo’s lights. The wheel will remain at the zoo through 2026 for Philadelphia’s America 250. Riders must be at least 32-inches tall and with an adult. What are the features of LumiNature? In addition to the ferris wheel, guests will be treated to old favorites such as the “Penguin Prismatic” show featuring a 40-foot tall penguin decorated with 40,000 lights; as well as the 25-foot tall pink flamingo tree made with 1,500 lawn ornament flamingos; and Flutter Flair, the Magic Fountain, the Philadelphia Zoower, the Enchanted Fairy Forest, Arctic Trek, Santa’s Lodge, Igloo at the Zoo and much more. And you don’t want to miss the “Our Neck of the Woods” display. The zoo’s closest neighborhood groups in West Philadelphia were challenged to showcase their creativity and spirit and decorate a one-of-a-kind tree inspired by the animal kingdom. Guests can vote for their favorite. How much are tickets to LumiNature? Tickets for adults ages 12 and older are $22 to $29, children ages 2-11 are $18 to $24, and children under 2 will be admitted free. Anytime tickets - $32 for adults and $27 for children - allow visits to LumiNature any night without advance reservations. The Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 W. Girard Ave. in Fairmount Park. Daily hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is available in nearby zoo parking lots for $19. Parking can be pre-paid online with your ticket purchase or purchased at self-service kiosks inside the zoo entrance.
