Weekendo
Dino Nights light festival at ZOO PlanckendaelRegioVibesBE · CC BY-SA 4.0
hours not confirmed yet

Dino Nights light festival at ZOO Planckendael

ZOO Planckendael (Muizen) · Mechelen, Belgium
Season30 October – 3 January 2027
Todayclosed
Entrysee below
Whereoutdoors

Festival only: adult €24.50, ages 3–17 and students €18.50, under 3 free. Zoo + festival combi: adult €43.25. Evening parking: €6. Pram hire: €4 (+€10 deposit).

About the event

After last year's dragons, Planckendael's light festival now travels millions of years back in time. The route winds past illuminated dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, with light effects and food stalls along the way. You enter during the time slot on your ticket and may then stay until closing at 10 pm. A combi ticket lets you visit the zoo by day and stay on for the festival. Tip: Muizen station is 800 m away and the ZOO Planckendael Express runs from Mechelen station; evening parking costs €6.

Season calendar

October 2026

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

November 2026

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

December 2026

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

January 2027

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun

Tap a day to see the hours.

season dates, hours not confirmed yet

Dates and hours

Open Thursday to Sunday, and daily during the autumn and Christmas school holidays (except 24 and 31 December). Entry by the time slot on your ticket; closes at 10 pm. The first slot time is not published.

  • Thu 24 December — closed. Closed.
  • Thu 31 December — closed. Closed.

Combine with

Christmas markets nearby for the same trip.

Mechelen Christmas MarketQwertzu111111 · CC BY-SA 4.0opens Fri 4 December, 17:00

Mechelen Christmas Market

Mechelen, Belgium 4 December – 24 December ≈ 4 km

About 50 stalls on the Korenmarkt, Haverwerf, Van Beethovenstraat and Vismarkt along the River Dijle, on December weekends.

free entry
Vilvoorde Christmas marketNenea hartia · CC BY-SA 4.0opens Fri 11 December, 18:00

Vilvoorde Christmas market

Vilvoorde, Belgium 11 December – 13 December ≈ 10 km

Christmas market in Vilvoorde — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. 35 chalets run by local associations on the Grote Markt, on the opening weekend of Winters Vilvoorde.

Grimbergen Christmas marketWim Bladt · CC BY-SA 3.0opens Fri 11 December, 18:00

Grimbergen Christmas market

Grimbergen, Belgium 11 December – 13 December ≈ 13 km

Christmas market in Grimbergen — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. Free entry. The centre becomes a winter village: 75 stalls of crafts and winter food, with entertainment in the abbey basilica and on the market square.

free entry
opens Sat 12 December, 10:00

Neder-Over-Heembeek Christmas market

Neder-Over-Heembeek, Belgium 12 December ≈ 14 km

Christmas market in Neder-Over-Heembeek (Ferme Nos Pilifs) — Saturday 12 December 2026, 10:00–18:00. Free entry. A local market: check the details with the organiser before you go.

free entry LEZ
Lier Christmas marketSally V · CC BY 4.0opens Fri 11 December, 17:00

Lier Christmas market

Lier, Belgium 11 December – 13 December ≈ 15 km

Christmas market in Lier — from 11 December to 13 December 2026. More than 100 stalls on three squares, live music and Christmas brass bands; a free 'Sacred Garden' light trail in the city park on 11–12 December.

Leuven Christmas MarketThomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0opens Thu 3 December, 12:00

Leuven Christmas Market

Leuven, Belgium 3 December – 20 December ≈ 19 km

More than 120 stalls on Ladeuzeplein and Herbert Hooverplein, in front of the University Library, for 18 days before Christmas.

free entry
Route