Smoky Night Lights at Zoo Knoxville opens Nov. 13 and runs select nights to March 28. Shows are 6 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 3; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Zoo Knoxville’s Smoky Night Lights is back: opening night is Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, and it runs on select nights through March 28, 2027. November and December shows are 6 to 9 p.m.
Last checked Nov. 6, 2026. This page is updated each season at the same address. Dates, hours and member nights come from Zoo Knoxville’s Smoky Night Lights page; parking from its admission and parking page.
The short version
- Opens: Friday, Nov. 13. Last night: Sunday, March 28, 2027.
- Hours: 6 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 3; later after that. Gates open an hour before.
- Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Tickets: price varies by date; buy on the zoo’s ticket page.
- Parking: $5 in the zoo’s upper and lower lots.
What it is
Smoky Night Lights is a light, music and multimedia show built around the Great Smoky Mountains and Appalachian lore. It is set along the Boyd Foundation Boardwalk at Clayton Timber Loop, and the zoo describes a four-part walk of about 45 minutes, with musicians along the way and fire pits and rocking chairs to warm up before or after. The show runs on a continuous loop.
Dates and show hours
Zoo gates open one hour before the first show. The zoo says all times are subject to change.
November, 6 to 9 p.m. - Friday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 15 - Every night Friday, Nov. 20, to Wednesday, Nov. 25 - Closed Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26 - Friday, Nov. 27, to Sunday, Nov. 29
December, 6 to 9 p.m. - Friday, Dec. 4, to Sunday, Dec. 6 - Every night Friday, Dec. 11, to Wednesday, Dec. 23 - Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - Monday, Dec. 28, to Thursday, Dec. 31
January to March 2027
| Dates | Show hours |
|---|---|
| Jan. 1-3 | 6 to 9 p.m. |
| Fridays to Sundays, Jan. 8-31 | 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 5-7 | 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. |
| Fridays to Sundays, Feb. 12-28 | 7 to 10 p.m. |
| Every night March 5-13 | 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, March 14, and every night March 19-28 | 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. |
Tickets
The zoo says pricing varies by date; the price for each night is on its Smoky Night Lights ticket page. Zoo members get $10 value nights on Nov. 13, Nov. 15, Dec. 4, Dec. 6, Jan. 8, Jan. 9, Feb. 5, Feb. 7, March 5 and March 6, applied when they log in. The zoo also adds a $2 in-park service fee to every ticket bought in person, so buying online is cheaper.
Parking and getting there
Zoo Knoxville is at 3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive in East Knoxville. Parking is $5 in the zoo’s upper and lower lots, and it can be added to an online ticket. Accessible and RV parking are available, the zoo says.
- Before you go, check our road construction and closures page for I-40 lane closures.
- For downtown parking on the same night, see our getting around guide.
More holiday lights
- Downtown’s tree lighting and the WIVK Christmas Parade: our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.
- The Fantasy of Trees, Nov. 25-29: our Fantasy of Trees page.
- Everything else: our holiday lights and Christmas events page.
Frequently asked questions
When does Smoky Night Lights open at Zoo Knoxville?
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. It runs on select nights through Sunday, March 28, 2027.
What time is Smoky Night Lights?
Shows run 6 to 9 p.m. in November, December and Jan. 1-3, and the zoo gates open an hour before. Start times move later from January as sunset gets later, up to 8:30 p.m. in late March.
Is Smoky Night Lights open on Thanksgiving or Christmas?
No. The zoo’s schedule shows it closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It is open Dec. 28-31, including New Year’s Eve.
How much are Smoky Night Lights tickets?
The zoo says prices vary by date and shows them on its ticket page. Members get $10 value nights on 10 dates, starting Nov. 13 and Nov. 15. Zoo parking is $5.
How long does Smoky Night Lights take?
The zoo describes a four-part walk of about 45 minutes. The show runs on a loop, so arriving late does not mean missing it.
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