Tickets for Zoo Knoxville's Smoky Night Lights went on sale Tuesday, WATE reported, with the 360-degree multimedia show returning for its second season after a December storm tore through its outdoor venue and forced months of repairs. The seasonal light display, which uses music, projection and synchronized lighting to recreate scenes from the Great Smoky Mountains, is set to open November 13 and run through March 2027.
That timeline comes from WATE 6 On Your Side, which reported the new opening date as the zoo's second year of the attraction gets underway. The show is generally open Friday through Sunday, with additional operating nights added around the holidays, according to the station's report. The attraction's debut season was in 2025.
A Four-Part Journey Along the Boardwalk
Smoky Night Lights unfolds as a four-part experience that runs about 45 minutes, carrying visitors along an elevated boardwalk overlooking the zoo's natural amphitheater, according to Zoo Knoxville. That amphitheater sits inside a former six-acre ravine, per the station's report, and the show is staged specifically at the Boyd Foundation Boardwalk at Clayton Timber Loop, the zoo's website notes.
The production uses music, projection and synchronized lighting to evoke the Great Smoky Mountains. WATE describes shifting lights and changing seasons as part of the experience, while the zoo describes ambient harmony.
Appalachian Roots in the Soundtrack
A Seasonal Sound and Light Experience The show pairs music with shifting lights and ambient harmony, while its themes include changing seasons.
Storm Damage Forced a Three-Month Closure
The show's return follows a rough stretch for the attraction. A storm significantly damaged the event's boardwalk, and the show closed afterward, according to WATE. Crews spent months making repairs before the attraction reopened in March 2026, the station reported.
What Tickets Cost This Season
Pricing for the new season varies by date, and the zoo's website points to select $10 member value nights as one of the cheaper options for season pass holders. The station's report on the new opening date lists general admission running from $15.95 to $22.95, with Zoo Knoxville members able to access lower prices than the general public. Tickets are available now on Zoo Knoxville's website.
