EN 
DE 
NL 
TR 
CURRENT
SMALL ANIMALS UP CLOSE
Our latest animal births and other news about Cologne Zoo
Scroll
ANIMAL BIRTHS
Tiergeburten 2025
W.Scheurer-A7402812.jpg)
W.Scheurer-7400216.jpg)
CHINA LIGHTS
All information at a glance
One of the highlights of the Advent and winter season in Cologne is returning! On December 12, 2025, CHINA LIGHTS will once again illuminate the Kölner Zoo.
64 light installations featuring around 1,400 individual figures – more than 4,000 LED lights and over 15,000 meters of LED light chains – spread across 20 hectares of zoo grounds: CHINA LIGHTS returns to the Rhine with impressive numbers. This is the sixth edition of the spectacular illumination event for the whole family. The previous five editions delighted around half a million visitors. Once again, beautifully illuminated animal and fantasy figures in Asian style will be on display throughout the entire zoo. With CHINA LIGHTS, Kölner Zoo concludes its anniversary year. In 2025, the zoo celebrates its 165th anniversary.
Where Mammoth Meets T-Rex
CHINA LIGHTS 2025/26 is divided into several new themed areas: The journey begins at the Welcome Area, where visitors are taken on a dazzling adventure through the world of glowing insects, amphibians, and reptiles. Next comes the special theme “Snow Plateau” with giant bears and Ice Age mammoths. To finish, guests will dive into a mysterious jungle world filled with exotic, colorful birds and monkeys. The creators of CHINA LIGHTS have also integrated figures of long-extinct animals into the route — including the woolly rhinoceros, dodo, saber-toothed tiger, and cave bear — adding exciting wow effects and a fascinating journey into the past.
At the same time, the exhibition connects to the ongoing Dinoworld special show in the zoo, featuring lifelike figures of extinct dinosaurs such as the T-Rex and Triceratops. “With all these luminous, extinct animals, we want to draw attention to the current extinction of species. Through these figures, we hope to inspire people to get involved in protecting biodiversity,” says Prof. Theo B. Pagel, CEO of Kölner Zoo.
The lighting designers have artistically integrated the XXL dino exhibits into their illumination concept — creating a unique spectacle exclusive to CHINA LIGHTS! A highlight on the large meadow in the center of the zoo is a brightly glowing prehistoric landscape with a color-changing, 12-meter-high volcano, forming a one-of-a-kind contrast to the 30-meter-long Argentinosaurus standing right beside it. “We’ve once again come up with many new ideas for CHINA LIGHTS. The result is a route unlike anything Cologne or the Rhineland has ever seen,” says Christopher Landsberg, board member of Kölner Zoo. “Even the dinosaur figures from our Dinoworld exhibition, which have been a huge attraction since April, are presented in a completely new light. It’s amazing what has been created here.”
Setup begins in November. The lighting designers will install 64 illuminated formations throughout the zoo, made up of around 1,400 individual figures. Around 4,000 LEDs and 15,000 meters of LED light chains will be used. Standout figures include the 10-meter-wide and 7-meter-high Greeting Gate, the XXL mosasaur that appears to emerge realistically from the zoo pond, XXL mammoth and cave bear ensembles, oversized chameleons and tree kangaroos, and the volcano landscape in the center of the zoo. Another eye-catcher on the lawn in front of the main entrance is a 25-meter-long and 8-meter-high giant snake winding its way through a huge rice field.
From Butterflies to Giant Owls – Interactive Fun for All Ages
A major crowd-pleaser are the interactive light figures – this year there are ten interactive stations for young and old, more than ever before. CHINA LIGHTS guests can, for example, bring flowers and butterflies to life with dance movements, test their balance on the “Light Magic Wheel,” stroll through a giant owl, or leave their own messages on illuminated and pin walls. Fans can also capture glowing memories at various photo spots — for example, sitting inside a dinosaur’s mouth or sending photo greetings with the replica of the FC mascot, the billy goat “Hennes IX.”
The light trail, illuminated with environmentally friendly LEDs, stretches across the entire zoo grounds. Culinary offerings from the zoo’s restaurants and photo point activities from the zoo shop complete this family-friendly event.
CHINA LIGHTS runs from December 12, 2025, to February 1, 2026.
The route and its highlights in detail:
The light trail begins in front of the zoo gates, where things get impressive right away. On the lawn by the main entrance, a giant illuminated snake in bright colors greets visitors for the first time. The actual route begins through the XXL entrance gate adorned with exotic reptiles – an animal-themed gateway into the world of illumination art. Guests then walk through a 60-meter-long corridor of illuminated giant leaves and butterflies, passing by XXL praying mantises and frogs. Giant armadillos and lion tamarins are also real showstoppers.
Fascinating Snow Plateaus
Next, guests enter the mysterious world of animals that once loved the cold. Welcome to the realm of mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, elk, shadow wolves, and woolly rhinoceroses – all creatures that once roamed the Earth and are now brought back to life in Kölner Zoo in spectacular fashion.
Jungle Adventure World
After the cold comes the warmth – with exhibits of animals native to the tropics. At the center is an enormous volcano landscape that, in connection with the current Dinoworld exhibition, transforms the large central meadow into a mystical prehistoric scene. Adding to this are magical tropical creatures such as birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, lemurs, and giant lizards.
165 Years of Kölner Zoo
CHINA LIGHTS is one of the highlights and the grand finale of the zoo’s 165th anniversary celebrations. Other anniversary highlights include the Dinoworld special exhibition, running until the end of 2026, featuring 24 lifelike large sculptures that are spectacularly integrated and newly illuminated during the evening CHINA LIGHTS show. For the first time in its history, Kölner Zoo has also released its own Panini sticker album to mark the anniversary.
At a Glance
What? CHINA LIGHTS at Kölner Zoo
When? December 12, 2025 to February 1, 2026; daily from 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve)
Online Ticket (incl. VRS travel pass)
Date-specific ticket (choose your preferred date, while supplies last):
Adults: €24; Children: €12 (ages 4–12); Children under 3: free
Voucher Ticket (one-time use, redeemable on any day during the event period):
Adults: €28; Children: €15 (ages 4–12); Children under 3: free
*All ticket prices apply exclusively to the evening CHINA LIGHTS event after the zoo’s regular closing time. Travel passes must be booked separately.
Combo Ticket (without VRS travel pass)
Additionally, until 4:30 p.m. daily, a combo ticket is available only at the zoo ticket office (for daytime zoo entry and CHINA LIGHTS on the same day):
Adults: €42; Children: €20 (ages 4–12); Children under 3: free
*All ticket prices apply exclusively to the evening CHINA LIGHTS event after zoo closing time.
Special Promotions
“Radiant Pre-Christmas Season”
From December 12–19, 2025, enjoy a 15% discount on all tickets.
*Valid only on “date-specific tickets” during this period. Available with discount code “chinalights15” exclusively in the online shop at www.koelnerzoo.de. Not combinable with other discounts.
“Collector’s Extra”
During the entire CHINA LIGHTS event, every ticket buyer can purchase a Panini album in the zoo’s online shop for a special price of €3.
*Valid only in combination with a purchased CHINA LIGHTS ticket. Albums are distributed during entry to the event.
Annual pass holders and members of the Zoo Support Association receive a continuous 15% discount on CHINA LIGHTS tickets and voucher tickets. Not combinable with other discounts or combo tickets.
Tip: The route takes about 2.5 hours. Experience shows that entry from 6:15 p.m. is much more relaxed than right at 5:30 p.m. (especially on weekends and busy days around Christmas).
Ticket sales and last entry close at 8:30 p.m. Evening tickets are only available on-site if there are remaining capacities.
The side entrance, animal houses, and aquarium are closed during the evening CHINA LIGHTS event.
EXHIBITIONS & LECTURES
Current EXHIBITIONS
currently none
CURRENT LECTURES
Knowledgeable experts report on exciting topics related to zoo life, current zoological research results and nature and species conservation projects. The lectures are free of charge. The lectures take place every second Tuesday of the month from October to March at the Zoo Event on "Alter Stammheimer Weg" (directly opposite the entrance to the Flora). Parking is available under the Zoobrücke.
The next lectures:
Tuesday, 9 October 2018, 7.30 pm
Peter Herkenrath, Bird Protection Unit at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection
Little Owl, Pink Flamingo & Co - Bird Protection in North Rhine-Westphalia“
Tuesday, 13 November 2018, 7.30 pm
Simon Bruslund, Zoo Heidelberg
"Silent forest - the Asian songbird crisis"
Tuesday, 11 December 2018, 7.30 pm
Prof. Dr. Christoph Scherber, Institute for Landscape Ecology, University of Münster
The decline of insect diversity in Germany - what do we know and what needs to be done?"
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Nora Weyer, Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremen
"Living on the Limit - Aardvarks in the Kalahari"
Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Alexander Sliwa, Cologne Zoo
"Black-footed cats - News from field research"
Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Barbara Fruth & Gottfried Hohmann, Board of Directors Bonobo Alive
"Bonobos in the Congolese rainforest - measures for a sustainable coexistence of humans and animals"
The lectures will take place in the rooms of the zoo gastronomy on the "Alten Stammheimer Weg". Please use the "Zoo-Event" entrance (directly opposite the Flora entrance).
