Everyone is talking about this year’s Wild Lights, an exciting display of Asian lantern sculptures at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Starting October 16 and ending on Sunday, December 22, Wild Lights is the premiere destination for couples, friends and families wanting to enjoy the cool fall weather. Wild Lights is open to the public 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays, with Wednesdays being special discounted nights, perfect for a mid-week adventure.
For the past four years, the Sedgwick County Zoo has partnered with Tianyu, a world-class Asian lantern provider to bring larger-than-life sculptures to Zoo guests. Every year brings brand new lanterns to the Zoo, with this year being the biggest and brightest yet with over 60 enchanting lanterns!
This year, step through the gates and journey through a magical forest, encountering animals big and small, mythical creatures, interactive elements and so much more. Each lantern shines with vibrant color, making a great backdrop for the perfect selfie or group photo. Walk beyond the giraffe feeding stand to find a tall sparkling ice castle, surrounded by glowing crystals and herds of magical animals. Guests who visit this area can even find a special magic tunnel within the walls of the icy fortress.
Near Elephants of the Zambezi River Valley, guests can learn more about the Chinese Zodiac and important mythological creatures. Each of the Zodiac’s twelve animals are represented as adorable lanterns, featuring signs where guests can discover which animal corresponds to their birth year. Make sure to visit all twelve to find your own!
If exploring enchanted forests makes you hungry, make sure to stop by one of the Wild Lights food areas along the way to find specialty food and drink items. Enjoy hot chocolate, Bavarian pretzels and cheese curds, tasty fried smores, and so many more delicious food and beverage options. See the map below for all food and drink locations at Wild Lights. For the 2024 Wild Lights menu, click the link here.
Experience Wild Lights in a stylish new way with one of the Zoo’s VIP cart tours! Kick back, relax, and enjoy being chauffeured around the Zoo grounds to enjoy Wild Lights. Guests will be given a specialty holiday drink and a tasty snack upon arrival. Cart tours are available on Mondays and Tuesdays while Wild Lights is closed to the public. Each tour can accommodate up to 10 guests, with each cart holding up to 5 guests. Available cart tours are limited, so guests will need to book their tour at least 48 hours in advance. Be sure to plan your VIP experience today!
From dragons to ice castles and so much more, this year’s Wild Lights is sure to be a hit with kids, friends and families alike. Don’t miss out and be sure to grab your Wild Lights tickets soon.
For more Wild Lights information, ticket prices and more, visit our Wild Lights 101 page here.
