The Dallas Zoo is making its holiday light celebration more welcoming to families with sensory sensitivities by offering a special evening featuring quieter music, smaller crowds and designated spaces where visitors can take a break from the festivities.
The Dallas Zoo offers an extensive range of educational programs for children and families, including those with sensory sensitivities.
The zoo will host its annual Sensory Friendly Night on Tuesday, November 17, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., as part of Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant.
Visitors will be able to experience the illuminated displays at their own pace, with smaller crowds, reduced noise and fewer sensory distractions, according to the Dallas Zoo’s official event announcement. There will also be designated quiet spaces where children and families can take breaks during the evening.
The zoo designed the event specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum and others who may find traditional holiday celebrations overwhelming because of loud music, bright lights and large crowds.
For some children with sensory sensitivities, quietly observing animals during a regular zoo visit can provide a calming experience. Watching animals move and interact with their surroundings may encourage curiosity, concentration and a sense of connection with nature. While animal viewing is not the focus of the evening holiday celebration, the zoo’s sensory-friendly accommodations reflect a similar understanding that children benefit from environments where they can explore and engage with the world at their own pace.
Making holiday traditions more welcoming
Holiday celebrations often bring families together through music, colorful decorations and festive activities. However, those same attractions can present challenges for people who are sensitive to noise, crowds or other sensory stimulation. The Dallas Zoo is addressing those concerns by modifying its traditional holiday experience to accommodate those who need it.
Families attending Sensory Friendly Night can enjoy the illuminated displays, meet Santa Claus and participate in special sensory-friendly activities, which will remain available until 8:30 p.m.
Kari Streiber, vice president of marketing and communications at the Dallas Zoo, said parents have shared that visiting Santa during the sensory-friendly event is a particularly special moment for their families, offering an experience they may not find at many other holiday celebrations.
“Our sensory friendly night at Dallas Zoo Lights presented by Reliant is a natural extension of the Sensory Friendly Days we have hosted for years at the Zoo. We pride ourselves on being a zoo for all,” Streiber said.
The zoo’s accessibility program includes sensory bags containing noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools and visual cue cards. The zoo also provides resources to help families prepare for their visits.
These accommodations allow families to enjoy holiday traditions without the pressure of navigating an environment that may be too stimulating for their children. By providing quieter spaces and reducing distractions, the zoo is helping make the holiday experience more inclusive.
Holiday lights for the whole family
The sensory-friendly event is part of the larger Dallas Zoo Lights celebration, which runs on select evenings from November 13 through January 3, 2027. The holiday attraction features more than 2 million lights, illuminated lanterns and festive displays throughout designated areas of the zoo.
The November 17 event will take place at the Dallas Zoo, located at 650 S. R. L. Thornton Freeway.
General admission tickets cost $19 for adults and $15 for children. Dallas Zoo members receive discounted admission, while children ages 2 and younger may attend free.
Parking costs $15 for nonmembers and is free for zoo members. Families can also reach the zoo using DART’s Red Line.
The zoo encourages guests to arrive around 5:30 p.m. to enjoy the full experience.
Additional information and tickets are available through the Dallas Zoo’s website.
