After a 35-day closure due to a major sinkhole at the entrance, the Oakland Zoo reopened Feb. 3 and has extended the dates of its popular Glowfari night events until March 4.
The colorful lantern festival consists of five different sections where visitors can learn about the ongoing journey of wildlife, the importance of every species on the planet and the zoo’s commitment to conservation.
The Land of Extinction exhibit educates about dinosaurs and other extinct animals like the woolly mammoth, saber-tooth tiger and quaggas, an animal similar to zebras that was hunted to extinction in the late 1800s.
There is also a California Coastline exhibit; a Wonders from Down Under exhibit featuring Australian animals; a Neon-Tropics exhibit featuring animals from the rainforests of Central and South America; and a Mythical Odyssey exhibit exploring creatures of mythology and folklore.
During last week’s reopening, the zoo announced the launch of its “Oaklanders Discount” program, where Oakland residents will receive a 25% discount on admission. The price reduction is a result of Measure Y, a parcel tax approved by voters in November.
Zoo animals are in their indoor areas and not visible to the public during Glowfari. Advance ticket reservations are required; the zoo is selling them online.
Click here if you’re unable to view the photo gallery on your mobile device.
Visitors arrive for the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) A young boy leaps as he goes through a jellyfish tunnel which is part of the California Coastline exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Evelyn Nguyen has her picture taken near an alligator by husband Steven Nguyen during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Visitors check out a mirrored room in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Woolly mammoths are seen in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) A visitor poses near the entrance during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) A giant clam is seen in the California Coastline exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Anne Cassia, left, takes a picture of Todd Tyler in front of a giant shark in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Quaggas are seen in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Visitors walk through a feather tunnel during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Brian Nieves, 15, of Napa, checks out a giant crab in the California Coastline exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Butterflies are seen during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Visitors walk through a jellyfish tunnel in the California Coastline exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) A saber-tooth tiger is seen in the Land of Extinction exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group) Visitors play a game in the California Coastline exhibit during the Glowfari lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. The event has been extended from Feb. 3 to March 4. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
