The Toronto Zoo is a great winter outing: fewer crowds, cold-loving animals at their most active and indoor pavilions to warm up in. Over the holidays, you can visit by day and come back at night for the Glow in the Wild lantern trail.
Daytime visits in winter
- Hours: shorter winter hours (in 2025 the zoo was open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Boxing Day). Check the zoo’s website for holiday hours, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.
- Cold-weather favourites: snow leopards, Amur tigers, reindeer, wolves and polar bears tend to be active in the cold.
- Warm-up stops: the indoor pavilions (such as the African Rainforest and Indo-Malaya areas) let you thaw out between outdoor exhibits.
Glow in the Wild at night
From Thursday to Sunday until January 3, 2027 (with extra holiday dates), more than 2,000 handcrafted lanterns light a 1.5 km evening trail. Tickets are $38 and separate from daytime admission. Glow in the Wild guide
A winter day at the zoo
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Opening | Start with the Canadian Domain and the cold-weather animals while they’re active |
| Late morning | Warm up in the African Rainforest or Indo-Malaya pavilions |
| Lunch | Eat at the zoo’s indoor food outlets or bring a packed lunch |
| Afternoon | Visit the Tundra Trek and the polar bears |
| Closing | Head home, or return later for Glow in the Wild |
Why visit in winter?
The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in Canada, with animals from around the world spread across hundreds of acres in the Rouge Valley. In winter there are fewer visitors, shorter lineups and some animals are at their best. Snow leopards, Amur tigers, reindeer and polar bears are built for cold weather and are often more active than in summer heat. Indoor pavilions provide warm breaks.
What to wear
- Warm, waterproof boots, as paths can be snowy or icy.
- Layers: you’ll go in and out of heated pavilions.
- Hats and mittens for the long outdoor walks between areas.
- A stroller or sled for little ones; the zoo is big.
Combine with Glow in the Wild
Glow in the Wild is the zoo’s evening lantern and light trail, held on select nights in the holiday season. It’s ticketed separately from daytime admission. If you plan to do both, take a break off-site between visits or plan a late-afternoon daytime visit that leads into the evening event. See Toronto Zoo Holiday Lights.
Memberships as gifts
A Toronto Zoo family membership makes a great Christmas gift for families who’ll visit often, with year-round admission. See experience gifts in Toronto.
Toronto Zoo at Christmas: FAQ
Is the Toronto Zoo open on Christmas Day? Check the zoo’s website for 2026 holiday hours; it has been closed on December 25 in some years.
Is the Toronto Zoo good in winter? Yes. It’s quieter, many animals are active and indoor pavilions offer warm breaks.
Tips for a winter zoo visit
- Dress in warm layers and boots; the zoo is large and exposed to wind.
- Plan a route that alternates outdoor animals with indoor pavilions.
- Bring snacks and a thermos.
- Strollers and sleds: paths can be snowy; a sturdy stroller helps.
Getting there
The zoo is in Scarborough next to Rouge National Urban Park, about 35 to 45 minutes from downtown by car via Highway 401. By transit, it takes a subway and a bus; use the TTC trip planner, as zoo routes vary by season. During Glow in the Wild, a temporary shuttle (Route 200) runs from Meadowvale Loop.
