Edmonton 
Zoominescence, Edmonton’s enchanting winter festival, is set to transform the Edmonton Valley Zoo into a luminous wonderland.
Photo Credit: Valley Zoo Development Society
Zoominescence, held in collaboration with the Edmonton Valley Zoo and the Valley Zoo Development Society and sponsored by The King’s University, will run from December 5, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
The festival will be open every weekend, including two full weeks around Christmas, transforming the Zoo into a mesmerizing winter wonderland.
The Edmonton Valley Zoo will be illuminated with an array of artistic lights, offering a unique winter celebration experience in the North. The festival aims to highlight the achievements in animal conservation through innovative light art, fostering community spirit and appreciation for wildlife during the winter season.
What to See & Do
- Visitors can explore more than 125 light installations, including standout pieces created by competition-winning artists. The 2025 Call to Artists winners share work shaped by themes ranging from wildlife conservation to sustainability and the hidden stories of the natural world.
- Animal Crossing reimagines a moose using recycled aluminum traffic signs, turning road-safety materials into a reminder of how human infrastructure affects wildlife. Its interlocking, reflective panels and reused U-channel legs highlight sustainability and coexistence, while lit antlers and barricade lights reinforce the road-safety message. Created by Edmonton designers Daniel Wray, Jordan Bussiere, and Ethan Rozendaal, the installation merges craft, ecology, and community connection.
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- Castor Lantern is a glowing beaver-shaped sculpture made from recycled metal framing, blue translucent panels etched with habitat illustrations, and an interior filled with discarded plastic bottles. Illuminated from within, it reflects both the beauty of Canada’s iconic animal and the environmental pressures it faces. Castor Lantern is also designed by Daniel Wray, Jordan Bussiere, and Ethan Rozendaal.
- Gulo Luna spotlights the elusive wolverine, perched on a half moon and illuminated with low-energy LEDs. Carved on-site over two days, the ice sculpture highlights the species’ fierce nature and northern resilience while reinforcing a conservation message. Created by sculptors Cliff Vacheresse and Andrew Wagner of Activate Arts Alberta, the installation offers visitors an up-close view of the creative process.
- Hidden Giants suspends a 14-foot Lake Sturgeon, built almost entirely from recycled plastics, including river-valley litter—to highlight the species’ threatened status and the impact of human waste. Visitors can step inside the hollow, gently swaying form, surrounded by star-like light. Created by Edmonton artist Elias Seemann, the installation blends sustainability, surrealism, and river ecology.
- Neighbours of the North honours the Arctic wolf and the opening of the R. Mallot Arctic Wolf Habitat, home to Tundra and his new companions, Aspen and Anuri. Built from painted plywood and illuminated with LED lighting, the installation symbolizes conservation, connection, and the wolves’ northern landscapes. Created by Edmonton woodworker Anthony Eslava, it celebrates both the animals and the zoo’s dedication to their well-being.
- Night Flight honours the elusive North American Barn Owl, highlighting its extraordinary low-light vision and unrivaled ability to hunt by sound. Built from reused fabrics, vellum, wire, wood, and cardboard, the glowing sculpture reflects the owl’s silent, ghostlike presence and its role in ecosystem balance. Created by Edmonton artist Eric Nocente, it encourages visitors to consider their own environmental impact.
- Bee Bee Queue turns a garden path into a glowing trail of 3D-printed, solar-powered bumblebees leading visitors to a pulsating illuminated clover. The installation highlights bees’ crucial role in pollinating one-third of the world’s food and encourages bee-friendly yards, like clover lawns. Created by Edmonton artist Trew Facks, the piece blends whimsy, sustainability, and gentle environmental education.
- In addition to the light displays, Zoominescence 2025 will feature several educational and interactive activities.
- Otter Feeding (5:30 p.m., Otter Habitat): Watch keepers feed the otters and learn how they survive Arctic waters.
- Red Panda Talk (6:30 p.m., Red Panda Habitat): Discover how their woolly undercoat and guard hairs protect them.
- Reindeer Talk (7:30 p.m. Reindeer Habitat): Explore how reindeer endure cold climates and what they eat.
- Sloth Talk (8:30 p.m., Sloth Habitat): Learn about their powerful “death grip” and surprising strength.
- Meet the Holiday Grouch and Cindy: from Dec. 5–23, 2025, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., at the Entry Plaza and Geodome Village for a festive character meet-and-greet.
Zoominescence 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of light, art, and community spirit, reflecting the vibrant culture of Edmonton.
Trip Planning — Zoominescence
When:
December 5-7, 12-23 & 26-31, 2025 | 4:30-10:00 pm
January 1-4, 2026 | 4:30-10:00 pm
Last admission is 9pm.
Where: Edmonton Valley Zoo – 13315 Buena Vista Road, Edmonton
How Much:
Children (2-12): $9.95 (online) | $10.95 (walk-up)
Youths (13-17): $12.95 (online) | $14.50 (walk-up)
Adults (18-64): $15.95 (online) | $17.50 (walk-up)
Seniors (65+): $12.95 (online) | $14.50 (walk-up)
