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    Glowfari

    4.8 (76 reviews)

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    So much detail! The lights look like sparkling snow on the ground.
    Lily S.

    It's my first time coming here and I'm blown away. Truly a magical experience. LOCATION: Glowfari is a holiday event that takes place after hours at the Oakland Zoo. TIME: You select your entry time between 4:30 - 6:30. The event ends at 9:00pm. Once you're in, you can stay as long as you like. We got 4:30 tickets, and it was pretty spacious, but around 6:00, the place got quite crowded. RIDES: The gondola runs throughout the evening. It's all lit up once the sun goes down. Highly recommend. DISPLAYS: The displays are incredible. Each year there is a theme, and for 2025, the theme was Oakland. It was amazing to see Oakland all lit up, including a replica BART train. Walking through the upper and lower levels of the zoo, you'll see life-size replicas of glowing animals. Many of the displays move. It's amazing how much detail went into each display. PLAY: There's a play area for kids too. Glowing swings, see saws, and squares that light up when you walk on them. There's also a house of mirrors. FOOD: There's 2 restaurants. We went to the Landing Cafe, which is larger and has seating inside and outside. Ordering online via their QR Code was efficient and quick. The food was decent for zoo food. There are burgers, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. Throughout the zoo, there are snack stands with hot chocolate, popcorn, and even beer. PARKING: Free (well, with ticket)

    Jasmine L.

    This is our second year coming to Glowfari, and we were slightly underwhelmed this time around. Last year was great, discounting novelty aside, there was more light fixtures and staff. This year, there was noticeably less staff and less pathways to get around the zoo. There is also less restaurants/food booths open this year. Prices for food have also gone up. We tried to order the baked potato soup from the landing cafe in the upper section (where the gondola goes up to). We were unable to make customizations (take off sour cream) on the touch screen, so we asked the employees at the counter. Apparently, they don't even take orders at the counter even though there are tons of employees just hanging out. We were then told that the chef makes the baked potato soup a certain way and doesn't allow customizations. We decided to not get food here. Based on these two years, it seems like they change the theme annually. Last year, it was dinosaurs and the Nile/pyramids. This year, it was sea-life and general Oakland themed ie. 'Future of Oakland' with a special feature from Bart. I greatly preferred last year's theming, but your mileage may vary. There were also more interactive elements last year. See photos below. As always, it is extremely packed and they were turning people away at the front gate as some people were trying to do a walk in. The event for that day was completely sold out. It's generally pretty for some photo ops, but it's honestly really packed. It's basically like going to Disneyland or any other vastly popular ticketed event. Make sure to bundle up, it's freezing up there.

    Ultima M.

    Super fun experience for all ages Parking is free Event is well organized Snack bars are open Rides are open AS long as it doesn't rain that day Zoo animals are not on shown Definitely a must do

    2025-26 Glowfari at the Oakland Zoo
    John D.

    Glow Up This will be the sixth year for this now annual lantern and light show event here at the Oakland Zoo. It's held daily btwn the months of Nov - Jan, so plenty of time to get down here. As with other years, the lights and lanterns skew towards the animal kingdom and conservation. The Good: *They change it up every year. Carissa had come the previous year with her "family," and she assumed it would be the same thing but she was pleasantly surprised how different it was. *The ride up up the gondola at night is truly epic. And if you happen to get there for the sunset then it's even more so! *One of this year's features is called "The Future of Oakland, " and it's spectacular. You should definitely come just for this. *Even my grumpy, sulky teenager liked this place, so that's gotta count for something, n'est-ce pas? *Food stands (and their outrageous prices) are still operational even at night. *10% discount for members The Meh: *Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and with slotted time slots (you can get there AFTER your time, but not before) and they only go on sale 28 days ahead of time. *Ticket prices fluctuate by certain dates/days ($36-45/adult GA) *Probably won't see any actual animals, but we did see some napping tortoises, flamingos, and the shadow outline of a buffalo. *It's 100% outside, so dress accordingly. The Ugly: *Better put on your patience pants with some of these GD baybay kids and their gentle parenting nimrods following closely behind. Just breathe, ignore them, and watch where you're walking. *These parents with these giant-ass semi-truck sized strollers in very packed areas. Seriously, Meredith? You really need that Airstream to schlep around Chad and Rex? *Getting into the park was kind of a shit-show of SUV drivers trying to demonstrate the enormity of their male genetalia. Must be might impressive from what I gathered. *Tariffs** cost the event $100k more than anticipated, but you know that's OK because they'll just pass the savings onto you. But, don't worry, you start making that money back any day now--I promise! Conclusion: This place would be great if it wasn't for all the fucking people. https://www-ktvu-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.ktvu.com/news/tariffs-making-oakland-zoos-glowfari-tickets-more-expensive-year.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17640286431571&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ktvu.com%2Fnews%2Ftariffs-making-oakland-zoos-glowfari-tickets-more-expensive-year

    Kelley K.

    This has become a must do. We highly recommend bundling up and going to Glowfari! Make a reservation in November so you get a spot. It's so fun! Fun to ride the train & Gondala, as well. I suggest booking just after sunset, so it's not too chilly out. It really is a magical experience

    Year of the snake. Egypt section
    Tiffany D.

    Wow! Amazing glowfari indeed! It's so fun to take the kids here. They love to run around and explore the activities as well. Taking the gondola up, opens a whole other area to peruse through. It's an outing surely. A unique experience and it is definitely worthwhile. It's cold and it may be rainy season so prepare to dress warm and bring an umbrella. The proceeds are going to a great cause for the zoo and animals. The spirit of kids roaming around with glowing lights, makes it a merry time to be here!

    Oakland exhibit
    Rebecca G.

    Glowfari is outstanding! Its only downside is that it's too popular. It's difficult to get tickets. You have to be organized. Set that alarm. You have to be ready to purchase tickets a month in advance. They use dynamic pricing, so you'll pay more for weekend tickets. If plans change, too bad. You're out of luck. This inflexibility has made me hesitant to buy tickets. We are zoo members, but I've always been too apprehensive to commit to buying tickets a month in advance to an entirely outdoor event in the winter with small children. It's just too risky. There's a good chance someone in our household might end up sick that day, or the weather will be too cold and damp to be enjoyable. Thankfully, we were lucky enough to be gifted tickets to this event from a family that couldn't attend at the last minute (due to said reasons that I get nervous about). We were so grateful that we got to experience it on a chilly, but not freezing evening. You can see the lanterns during a daytime visit to the zoo. They are outstanding even in the daytime! You can see the scale of these lanterns and just how many of them there are! I mean, they cover most of the zoo! You won't see any animals though, or at least I didn't. I think they are in their indoor habitats. I love that the exhibit changes every year. The 2025-26 Glowfari featured an Oakland exhibit that included my 1 year old daughter's favorite lantern -- a "choo choo" train! It was a BART lantern that you can actually go inside. My son was a huge fan of the interactive game at the top (there were more of these last year), and also the light up swings, see saws and floor tiles. That's the perfect end to the night if you have kids because once they see that section, they'll have a hard time leaving. Your best bet is to start up the gondola and then make your way down, ending at the interactive zone. We didn't make it to the train unfortunately which has its own light up section that can only be seen from the train. We missed that last year as well, unfortunately. There's actually a lot to do and see, especially if you have small kids. Arrive early if you can. The event also features Santa on select days as well. Overall, this is a fantastic event that is really enjoyable for a wide range of ages. I just wish there were some tickets available for purchase day of, or walk-up. I know they don't need to because of its insane popularity, but it would be nice for those with a fear of commitment! haha

    Oakland piece~
    Jenny N.

    Ah- what a beautiful event! It's super pretty! So many different sections to explore- definitely take the lift up to view the Oakland city pieces with a BART train and some swings! It can get pretty cold so layer up and bring those gloves/beanies! They also have spiked hot chocolate which you can order from the app instead of waiting in line~ Everyone was super nice and helpful. Expect a line for the lift~

    Oakland landmarks
    Kenny B.

    Always such a good time! We've been coming to Zoo Lights aka GlowFari for the past several years now. It's always such a fun experience, especially for the little ones. Definitely make sure to buy your tickets in advance. If you can get into an earlier session by all means do so. It gets busy and packed quickly. Last year we parked right up front. This year we arrived at 6p and were all the way at the end of overflow parking. I'd hit the Gondola right away as the lines can get crazy. Also note; the lines split off on bottom and at the top. There is a separate line for people with strollers, so don't wait in a longer line if you don't have to. Better yet, bring a compact collapsible stroller if you can, then you'll get on quickest in the non stroller line. If you need an electric assistance trike, those are available for rent. As are strollers. There are small snack shacks open throughout the park. You can get pretzels, churros, Dip N Dots and various drinks. I enjoyed my adult hot chocolate which includes a little Baileys. Be prepared for your shoes to be MUDDY if you go to the lower section. It's a lot of fun, especially for the kids. They have a bunch of traction mats. But the mud oozes through and they're also some puddles. So maybe even bring a change of shoes and clothes for the kids lol Be prepared to have some fun. Dress for the weather. Have a hooded jacked or hat, as it can get chilly and wet. But mostly just be in the moment and enjoy your time. The kids will love it and so will you.

    Rose C.

    Been taking the little ones for the last three years. It's starting to feel like a wintry holiday tradition now. Each year, a new theme for this festival. The set up was impressive with awesome life sized displays and cool lighting. Lots of fun activities for the kiddos to enjoy... like the smoke bubble machines, the color changing oval swings, lit up stepping tiles, and the newly added teeter-totter to name a few. There was also the maze-like house of mirrors that was pretty fun for the kids. The landing cafe was ready for the crowd! Right as soon as we placed our food order from the kiosk, our food was ready to be picked up! That was an unexpected surprise as normally it would be a bit of a wait. The entry time to the event are staggered. But once you're in, you can stay as long or as little as you'd like. Our visit was approximately about 3 hours as we took some time to dine and leisurely walked around to enjoy the beautiful illumination. It was a fun family friendly event.

    Blanche M.

    So cool! This is our second year visiting, and they did not disappoint. I love how they change up their theme yearly. Very family friendly. Plus their food at their food court is good! Glofari does get busy and does sell out so buy your tickets in advanced. Btw Santa was there this year! Great place to get your photo op in!

    2025
    Stacey H.

    One of my favorite holiday traditions! Glowfari is such a unique and fun event. I recommend getting 4:30PM tickets to enjoy the most of the event. Every year is different themes and keeps it exciting to visit every year. We get there right at opening and head straight for the gondola to see the top exhibits first. The line for the gondola can get long later in the evening so we find this the best use of time. If you have little kids packing snacks and dinner is definitely recommend. They have food and drinks (including wine and beer) available to purchase too. A stroller is highly recommended for little kids. Lots of hills and walking.

    Pranamee S.

    We first visited in 2021 and loved it -- but our 2025 visit was even better! The displays were brighter, the overall organization was excellent, and there were plenty of food and snack options. With all the lights and festive setup, we managed to experience almost everything in about 2.5 hours, except for the train ride, which closed early due to unexpectedly long lines -- a bit of a bummer! The carousel and car ride were still lots of fun, and we even got a picture with Santa (the longest wait was maybe 10 minutes!). Parking is still a challenge, but honestly, it's better managed than many other places we've been.

    This is the backdrop for pictures with Santa Claus.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Glowfari

    Review Highlights - Glowfari

    I was blown away that they had Gondolas to bring you to a completely new part of the zoo with amazing lights.

    Mentioned in 41 reviews

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    Children's Fairyland - Willie the Whale spouts water from his blowhole and invites visitors to climb into his belly.

    Children's Fairyland

    4.0(647 reviews)
    7.5 mi
    Not-for-profit
    Kid friendly

    My son and immediate family had such a fun time this visit at fairyland. I haven't been since I was…read morelittle so it was definitely full circle bringing my child. This place has been around since my parents were little and they've been there too! Pretty neat. I used my wic card and valid photo Id for 5$ tickets, I couldn't tell you exactly how many is the cap but there were 5 adults and the kids were free I believe. We went as soon as it opened and the park was not overly packed at all it was really nice. I plan on getting out with my kiddo whenever I get the chance as I saw many mothers just hanging out with lunch for their kiddo for the day and I just loved that idea. Everything was open for the most part except two attractions which didn't stop us from enjoying the visit all around. From what I've learned if you visit the park twice your third visit you get a year pass! I'd say that's pretty convenient being a low income single mother. Hope I helped convince you to go !

    My daughter Head Start School sent us here for Week of The Young Child to have family day which it…read morewas my first time ever going in my life. I think fairyland is an awesome place to bring your children to let them run around & play. I did feel a bit overwhelmed because it was literally every head start in Oakland so it was tons of kids, but I would I bring my daughter & son back again. Also I really enjoyed their Cafe too! Although I do feel like 10.95 is alot for 4 slices of pizza but I understand. It was still delicious.

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    Children's Fairyland - Happy Dragon welcomes kids to climb all over his back as he lounges inside the gates.

    Happy Dragon welcomes kids to climb all over his back as he lounges inside the gates.

    Children's Fairyland - With close to 60 storybook sets, friendly animals, and 10 acres of gardens, our park is designed to delight visitors of all ages!

    With close to 60 storybook sets, friendly animals, and 10 acres of gardens, our park is designed to delight visitors of all ages!

    Children's Fairyland - Bring your Magic Keys (or pick one up for $3 in the gift shop) to unlock the Talking Storybook Boxes!

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    Bring your Magic Keys (or pick one up for $3 in the gift shop) to unlock the Talking Storybook Boxes!

    Tilden Regional Park Little Farm - Fun feeding fowls!

    Tilden Regional Park Little Farm

    4.7(310 reviews)
    12.9 mi

    If you're looking for a fun outdoor activity with family, friends or especially younger kids, this…read moreis definitely a great spot to check out. Parking is completely free and the farm itself is also free to visit, which makes it an easy and accessible outing for everyone. There are several farm animals that kids can see up close like goats, chickens, pigs, and more, which makes the experience really enjoyable for little ones. At the moment, visitors are not able to feed the animals due to health concerns, but it's still great being able to walk around and see them in a peaceful setting. The surrounding area is also beautiful. There are amazing hiking trails all around Tilden, so you can easily turn a quick visit into a full day outdoors. On a sunny day, the views, fresh air and open space make the whole place feel very relaxing. Overall, it's a simple, wholesome place to visit, especially if you want kids to experience animals and nature without spending money. Definitely worth checking out on a sunny day.

    It really is a "little" farm, so it doesn't take long to pay a visit. Beware of the incline walking…read moreout to the field near the cows and sheep. The short trek is worth seeing the beautiful animals up close but will require a bit of energy going uphill. Lots of empty pens in the farm this past Sunday. But I did get to see some chickens, ducks, cows, sheep, pigs, goat, and bunnies! I counted about 10 bunnies in the little red barn, dutch rabbits to be exact. Super cute, just chillaxing :) This farm allows for petting of the animals with caution, but lots of signs saying no feeding allowed. There's also educational opportunities on site, wash stations, restrooms, and a free parking lot for convenience, to go along with free admission to the farm. There's no wifi here, and minimal seating. I made the most out of my visit, by checking out Jewel Lake nearby as well.

    Photos
    Tilden Regional Park Little Farm - Me sitting on a log

    Me sitting on a log

    Tilden Regional Park Little Farm - Farm animals in Berkeley's Tilden Park

    Farm animals in Berkeley's Tilden Park

    Tilden Regional Park Little Farm - Walkway to little farm

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    Walkway to little farm

    Lindsay Wildlife Experience

    Lindsay Wildlife Experience

    4.0(306 reviews)
    12.7 mi

    We had such an amazing time at the Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek! We visited to…read morecelebrate my daughter's birthday, and it turned out to be the perfect outing. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by friendly and knowledgeable staff who made us feel welcome. The facility was well-maintained, which made the whole visit feel comfortable and enjoyable. The highlight of our trip was definitely the owl exhibit--my daughter had been eagerly wanting to see one, and she was thrilled to get a close-up view of these beautiful creatures. It was clear the staff genuinely care about the animals and take pride in providing an educational and engaging experience. The owl's impressive features and calm presence were unforgettable. Overall, we had a fantastic day exploring the different exhibits and learning about the incredible wildlife they care for. Whether you're visiting with kids or just an animal lover, Lindsay Wildlife Experience is a gem, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun and enriching experience. We'll definitely be back.

    Great little museum that's definitely worth the money. It's not huge, but there's a lot to enjoy,…read moreespecially if you take your time going through everything. The bald eagle was a highlight for me, and honestly the poop exhibit by the restroom was surprisingly fun and educational. Only here would that actually be a memorable part of the visit. I also really liked the outdoor show and the interactive animal encounters. They brought out animals you could touch like a snake and even cockroaches, which made the experience feel a lot more engaging. Overall, a fun and unique spot, especially good for families or anyone who likes wildlife up close.

    Photos
    Lindsay Wildlife Experience - Penelope the Porcupine

    Penelope the Porcupine

    Lindsay Wildlife Experience
    Lindsay Wildlife Experience

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    Aquarium Of The Bay - Jelly fish

    Aquarium Of The Bay

    3.2(1k reviews)
    15.0 miNorth Beach/Telegraph Hill, Fisherman's Wharf

    We visited on Saturday, April 4. We were visiting from Las Vegas and decided to check out the…read moreaquarium for a cool place for my toddler to take a nap. My first complaint is the price - $30 for adults and children 4-12 are $22. Our son is under 2, so luckily we did not need to pay for him. The cost is unreasonable for the experience you end up getting. You also HAVE TO purchase the tickets online - there was no physical ticketing kiosk, so you are forced to pay the online fee. The second strike was that the direct elevator to the aquarium on the second floor of the building, was out. We had to walk our stroller all the way around the attached building and get on the elevator over there. It's not a huge deal, but a hassle for anyone who needs to use an elevator. Third strike was ANOTHER elevator within the aquarium was also out, so there was only ONE working elevator and it was a very busy Saturday afternoon, with a lot of people waiting. It also wasn't made very clear that there were stairs available for those that could use them. The fourth strike was that the exhibits were small and there didn't seem to be very many fish, especially in the tank tunnel. The moving walkway was also not working in the tunnel, so it would get a little backed up, as people would just stand there trying to look at the minimal amount of fish and handful of sharks swimming around. There was a pretty large touch tank for the kids and an otter exhibit. But to add insult to injury, the otters were sleeping, so we didn't even get to see them (not the aquarium's fault, but like I said, it just added to the laundry list of issues we were having with this facility). I hate to compare apples and oranges, but the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay Casino in Vegas is HUGE and has beautiful exhibits. The cost for an adult ticket there is $29, so that's where my expectations were and I was severely disappointed with this aquarium. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY, especially if you have children.

    I love aquariums, sea life, and conservation efforts, and Aquarium of the Bay would probably try to…read moreclaim the same thing but it would not be genuine based on their business practices. As other reviewers have mentioned there is a photo opportunity towards the beginning of the aquarium - I've been to other aquariums (the Seattle aquarium comes to mind) and done these photos because sometimes they are fun. However, when we went to see the pictures at the end of our visit, the first image was an AI-generated picture of my partner and I. We asked the employee who let us know that the aquarium has recently started running the pictures through ChatGPT to get such an image. Both my partner and I were extremely put off by this for a couple reasons. For one, we were not told or asked beforehand if we wanted our images rendered by AI. Clarity on such practices should be foundational to a business's use of them, especially when customers' images are going to be entered into open large language models like ChatGPT - if the aquarium continues to wish to utilize AI in their business practices in this way, they should at the bare minimum allow for customers to opt out of their images being submitted to open-LLMs as it is inherently a privacy violation. My other concern with the aquarium's use of AI is that it feels entirely contradictory to their declarations of commitment to sustainability and environmentalism. At this point, there is widespread concern about the environmental sustainability of AI data centers and the amount of clean water that they use is already having detrimental environmental consequences. So while the aquarium as an entire floor dedicated to sharing information about the disastrous impacts of human-made climate change, it feels incredibly performative while they actively participate in systems that are exacerbating negative environmental damage. It is so easy to simply not use AI in this way, even easier to allow your customers the choice to opt out of its use, and easier still to just tell customers before they stand for photos that their images will be run through an open-LLM so that they are at the very least aware. I am not usually one to review businesses, but this is information I wish I'd had before going and definitely before having my picture taken. Additionally, the aquarium itself is very small, the signage isn't very good, and the elevators are very very slow. Overall, a pretty disheartening and disappointing experience. Maybe the California Academy of Science is better!

    Photos
    Aquarium Of The Bay
    Aquarium Of The Bay - Turtle

    Turtle

    Aquarium Of The Bay - Octopus

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    Octopus

    Redwood Valley Railway - Tilden Regional Park Steam Train $4/ticket

    Redwood Valley Railway

    4.8(251 reviews)
    10.0 mi

    Open every weekend (weather permitting) including holidays 11am to 6pm…read more Super cute steam train that takes you around the park Tickets are $5 per person Kids 2 years and up need a ticket Credit card and debit card accepted Parking in the main lot gets full fast but there is additional parking not too far away and parking is free My little man enjoyed this ride I love making new memories with him

    Redwood Valley Railway was honestly way more fun than I expected. It's one of those small, somewhat…read morehidden attractions in the East Bay that you might not hear about unless someone tells you. But once you visit, it feels like a perfect little weekend activity, especially if you have kids or dogs. The main attraction is the miniature steam train that runs through the redwood forest in Tilden Regional Park. The train goes through trees, small bridges, and tunnels, and the ride is surprisingly scenic. It's about 12-15 minutes long, which feels just right--not too short, but also perfect for kids. Even though it's technically designed for children, adults definitely enjoy it too. There's something very nostalgic about riding a tiny train through the woods. One thing I really liked is how dog-friendly the place is. You'll see a lot of families bringing their dogs along, and it's honestly pretty cute seeing dogs riding the train with everyone else. The surrounding park area is also really nice, so you can easily walk around a bit or have a small picnic after the ride. That said, this place is extremely popular on weekends. There's basically always a line for the train. Because of that, timing really matters. I would strongly recommend arriving around 10:50 AM. That way you can usually still park in the main lot and get in line right before the first train of the day at 11. Getting on that first ride makes the whole visit much easier, otherwise the wait can get pretty long. Another cool thing is that on Sundays, there's actually another train experience nearby run by a train enthusiast club called Golden Gate Live Steamers. It's just further down the hill, and they usually offer free miniature train rides (donations encouraged) in the afternoon. Those trains are run by hobbyists and are even more "enthusiast style," which is pretty fun to see. Overall this place feels like one of those hidden local gems. It's simple, charming, and surprisingly fun. Great for a relaxed weekend morning--especially if you want something outdoors that works for both kids and dogs.

    Photos
    Redwood Valley Railway - Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

    Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

    Redwood Valley Railway
    Redwood Valley Railway - Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

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    Frist time here with the fam 5/31/2025

    Glowfari - zoos - Updated May 2026

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