ENMAX Community Nights

To celebrate 30 years of ZOOLIGHTS, presented by Olympia Trust Company, the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo and ENMAX are partnering to make this beloved holiday tradition more accessible through two special Pay What You Can Community Nights. These evenings are designed to help reduce financial barriers and allow more people to experience the magic of ZOOLIGHTS with family and friends.

ENMAX Community Nights will take place on:

November 17, 2026

November 24, 2026

The event runs from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. each evening. However, anyone that purchases tickets online will be welcome for early entry beginning at 5 p.m. The last entry to the zoo is 9 p.m.

Rather than having a set price, you get to choose what you would like to pay for admission!

Thanks to the generous support of ENMAX, these two nights are designed to make ZOOLIGHTS more financially accessible for members of our community.

Please note: guests who purchase tickets online will be limited to a maximum purchase of 10 tickets. We will also be auditing ticket purchases and reserve the right to cancel any ticket orders that exceed the maximum of 10.

If you require more than 10 tickets, please call Guest Relations at (403) 232-9300, and a member of our team would be happy to help.

Tickets purchased online will have preset payment options starting at $1. Guests purchasing tickets at the gate may pay any amount, including $0.

Any amount paid for admission on ENMAX Community Nights helps support our world-class animal care, conservation, and education programs.

The suggested ticket price for ENMAX Community Nights is $7.50.

Guests can purchase tickets online here, or in person on November 17 and 24.

Please note: we expect both nights will be well attended. If you choose to purchase your tickets in person, there may be a longer line than usual.

Yes, online ticket purchases will be limited to a maximum of 10 per customer.

We will be auditing ticket purchases and reserve the right to cancel any ticket orders that exceed the maximum of 10.

If you require more than 10 tickets, please call Guest Relations at (403) 232-9300, and a member of our team would be happy to help.

Online tickets will be released in batches, so if you receive a “sold out” message when you try to purchase tickets online, we recommend you try back a little later. Alternatively, you can call Guest Relations at (403) 232-9300, and a member of our team would be happy to help.

Walk-up tickets will also be available for purchase on November 17 and 24.

Yes, walk-up admission will be available at the gate on both ENMAX Community Night evenings. Guests should be aware that these evenings are expected to be well attended and there may be a longer line than normal.

If you would prefer to purchase your tickets in advance, please go here.

Members who want to join in on the fun of ENMAX Community Nights will receive access to the pay what you can pricing opportunity. We do expect these nights to be well attended, so members who may prefer a quieter evening of ZOOLIGHTS may wish to come on a different night. If you wish to attend on a different night, you can purchase your ticket online.

Wildlife Guardians

Wildlife Guardians receive free complimentary access to ZOOLIGHTS for themselves and are welcome to come to ZOOLIGHTS on November 17 or 24. We do expect these nights to be well attended, so Wildlife Guardians who would prefer a quieter evening at ZOOLIGHTS may wish to choose an alternative evening to attend. To attend on a different evening, Wildlife Guardians can purchase their complimentary tickets online.

Yes, we anticipate significantly higher attendance than a typical November evening. Guests should be prepared for:

• Longer-than-normal wait times for entry and departure.
• Traffic congestion entering the parking lot.
• Busy pathways, photo opps, and ZOOLIGHTS experiences.

Planning ahead and arriving early is strongly recommended.

Regular parking rates of $14 will apply on both evenings of ENMAX Community Nights. Guests should expect the parking lot to be busy, and we suggest allowing for extra travel time in case of lines to enter or exit the parking lot.

We are encouraging guests to take public transit to ENMAX Community Nights. Anyone who shows a valid Calgary Transit ticket at any of our retail and/or concessions locations will receive a 10% discount during ENMAX Community Nights.

Absolutely! Taking transit to the zoo is an excellent way to avoid congestion around the parking lot. You can take the C-Train Blue Line to Zoo Station to arrive directly at our North entrance.

Anyone who shows a valid Calgary Transit ticket at any of our retail and/or concessions locations will receive a 10% discount during ENMAX Community Nights.

No. Tickets purchased for ENMAX Community Nights are only valid for the event date selected and cannot be exchanged for another ZOOLIGHTS evening.

No. Due to the nature of this special event and the anticipated attendance levels, refunds will not be issued. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and consider transit options.  

ENMAX Community Nights are designed to help reduce financial barriers and allow more people to experience the magic of ZOOLIGHTS with family and friends. Any amount paid for admission on these nights helps support our world-class animal care, conservation, and education programs. 

If you are in a position to pay more for a ticket, we would be immensely grateful for your generosity, as support like this is what allows us to continue to serve our community. Please note ticket purchases are not considered charitable donations.  

If a guest pays more than the fair market value of a ZOOLIGHTS admission ticket, the portion of the fair market value may be eligible for a charitable tax receipt, subject to Canadian Revenue Agency requirements. If you feel this situation applies to your purchase and would like to receive a charitable tax receipt (if eligible), please contact our Development team at Donations@wilderinstitute.org and a member of our team would be happy to help.  

Alternatively, if you are so inclined to support the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo so we can continue to support wildlife and wild places, you can do so here.   

No. Guests will enjoy the same festive ZOOLIGHTS experience, including light displays, seasonal atmosphere, food and beverage offerings, and opportunities to create holiday memories with friends and family.

ENMAX Community Nights were created to help reduce financial barriers and ensure more members of our community can experience one of Calgary’s favourite holiday traditions. This initiative is part of a shared commitment between ENMAX and the Wilder Institute’s Calgary Zoo to make meaningful experiences more accessible. 

This event is only possible thanks to the generous funding of ENMAX. 

Sunlights to ZOOLIGHTS will not be available to purchase on these days.

Allow approximately 90 minutes to experience ZOOLIGHTS. 

Yes! Santa will be at Santa’s Polar Palace in Skoki Classroom from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. both nights.

Animal buildings are closed to the public during ZOOLIGHTS. For current animal building hours during daytime visits, see our Plan Your Visit page

Yes! The North Gift Shop, Bamboo-tique, Penguin Café, Kitamba Café, and select food and beverage locations are scheduled to be open nightly during ENMAX Community Night. Availability may vary based on staffing and weather. 

Sunlights to ZOOLIGHTS will not be available to purchase on these days.

Axe throwing will not be open on ENMAX Community night.

Yes. Guests can enjoy free carousel rides each night from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with the last ride loading at 9:15 p.m. 

Yes. Free sensory bags are available at the North Gift Shop on a first-come, first-served basis. Bags include headphones, a fidget spinner and other items to help guests manage sensory sensitivities. 

Signage throughout the park also provides advance notice of flashing or moving lights and sounds. 

Yes. Wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the North Gift Shop. 

The zoo will communicate any weather-related decisions as quickly as possible through our social media channels, website, and email. If a cancellation is required, information regarding refunds or alternative arrangements will be provided at that time.