The Festival of Lights at the Joburg Zoo is a Christmas 2023 event not to be missed!
This collaboration between the Joburg Theatre, Joburg City Parks and Zoo together with City Power combines the Arts with animals.
Life-size illuminated animal characters, food stalls and a craft market will all be on offer from 1 Dec – 7 Jan.
From Thursday to Sunday, the Zoo will be open in the evenings from 7pm – 10pm. Designated routes will be lit to show the way to the animals as well as the entertainment.
Festival of lights entertainment line-up
Friday 1 Dec
Bongi Archi and the Art of Dance (Main Stage)
Saturday 2 Dec & Sunday 3 Dec
Bongi Archi and the Art of Dance (Main Stage)
Max Maximilian (Performance at the Tree of Lights)
Thursday 7 Dec
Comedy with Soweto Comedy Festival and DJ Night (Main Stage) 
Friday 8 Dec
iComplete and the Youth Russian Ballet Company – Nutcracker
(Main Stage)
Saturday 9 Dec & Sunday 10 Dec
iComplete and the Youth Russian Ballet Company – Nutcracker (Main Stage)
Max Maximilian (Performance at the Tree of Lights)
Thursday 14 Dec
Comedy with Soweto Comedy Festival and DJ Night (Main Stage)
Friday 15 Dec
Philisiwe Ntintili and Biko’s Manna (Main Stage) 
Saturday 16 Dec
Concert featuring The Soil, Matthew Mole, Philisiwe Ntili and Biko’s Manna (Main Stage)
Sunday 17 Dec
Philisiwe Ntintili and Biko’s Manna (Main Stage)
Max Maximilian (Performance at the Tree of Lights)
Thursday 21 Dec
Comedy with Soweto Comedy Festival and DJ Night (Main Stage)
Friday 22 Dec
Soweto Spiritual Singers and Tribhangi Dance Company (Main Stage)
Saturday 23 Dec
Soweto Spiritual Singers and Tribhangi Dance Company (Main Stage)
Max Maximilian (Performance at the Tree of Lights)
Thursday 28 Dec
Comedy with Soweto Comedy Festival and DJ Night (Main Stage)
Friday 29 Dec & Saturday 30 Dec
Mzansi Gay Choir & Tamara Dey and Compañía Sophia & Montoya Spanish Dance Academy and Theatre (Main Stage)
Thursday 4 Jan
Comedy with Soweto Comedy Festival and DJ Night (Main Stage)
Friday 5 Jan
Dafunc and Wayawabuya Movement Theatre Creations (Main Stage)
Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 Jan
Dafunc and Wayawabuya Movement Theatre Creations (Main Stage)
Tickets for Festival of Lights
Entrance cost
- Children under the age of 3yrs – Free
- R75 (kids 3-12yrs)
- R100 (pensioners)
- R175 (kids 12+ and adults)
PLEASE NOTE: Live performances are weather-dependent
Free Parking is provided at the Upper Park Drive Parkade.
Looking for accommodation?
Situated a mere 10-minutes’ from the Johannesburg Zoo, the Jack Rose Hotel offers comfortable, affordable accommodation. Every room is a fully-equipped self-catering unit with a private bathroom – so guests can eat in or eat out.
For the best price please contact Reception.