Oakland Zoo’s Glowfari has returned, but prices are higher due to tariffs

Glowfari has returned to the Oakland Zoo, but ticket prices are higher this year and President Donald Trump’s tariffs are to blame.

Oakland Zoo CEO Nik Dehejia told KTVU that the LED lanterns, which are hand-crafted in China and imported months in advance, cost an additional $100,000 this year.

“Unfortunately, we got hit with tariffs,” Dehejia told the news station. “It’s hard to predict what’s going on in this economy, but no matter what it costs, we knew we had to bring it in. We need joy, we need some fun — and Glowfari brings that to the Bay Area.”

Dehejia the zoo absorbed most of the expenses, but ticket prices are slightly higher.

While some lanterns return from year to year, the zoo also commissions new lanterns for new exhibits each year. This year’s theme is “The Future of Oak