Louisville Zoo Wild Lights

The popular Wild Lights: Around the World, will be from March 10 through May 21, 2023, at the Louisville Zoo.

Wild Lights is one of the largest Chinese lantern festivals in the nation and our community’s first-ever outdoor Chinese lantern festival.  

This is really exciting news! Many people loved Wild Lights Louisville at the Louisville Zoo and it will be back this year. Here’s the information. They will be back with new lanterns. With an almost entirely new lineup of lanterns, guests will be able to see sights from around the world on their 1.4-mile excursion through the Zoo. Famous landmarks, flora and fauna from North and South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia will be highlighted in six different zones. As families venture through the Zoo’s pathways each evening, they will experience hand-crafted, illuminated art displays comprised of silk-covered, metal frames and LED lightbulbs.

The event will feature over 50,000 LED lightbulbs, 18 interactive displays, 8 animated lanterns and 10 light changing pieces that together present a spectacular feast for the eyes. A few lantern highlights include a walk-through cobra corridor, giant blue morpho butterfly, and a 9-foot, shark-themed photo opportunity. Other lanterns to look forward to including the Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opera House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Hall of Supreme Harmony and so much more!

This 46-night immersive experience features live cultural performances including Chinese folk dances, acrobatics and more. Parents listen up: there will also be unique handcrafted goods available for purchase along with snacks and cocktails.

Tickets will be on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1 at louisvillezoo.org/wildlights.

The event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly on a paved path. The festival is a rain or shine event and will be held 6:30 – 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights from March 10 – May 21, 2023 and nightly from March 30 – April 9, 2023. 

PRICING

From April 1 – June 4, 2023, General admission is $22, Louisville Zoo members receive $19 discounted admission. Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Family Four Pack tickets are available for $75; Zoo members may purchase the Family Four Pack at a discounted rate of $65. Family Four Pack ticket holders must enter the event together. Tickets available for purchase in advance online only.

Regular daytime Zoo admission tickets and Wild Lights tickets must be purchased separately. Parking for this event is $7 and can be purchased in advance online during your purchase or at the Zoo admission windows. For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org.

Wild Lights: Around the World will take place 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights from March 10 – May 21 and daily April 3 – April 7. The event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly on a paved path.

 

Wild Lights: Around the World features dramatic archways that illuminate the way on a magical journey encompassing the famous landmarks, flora and fauna of six continents. Feast your eyes on dramatic cultural displays celebrating the rich heritage and craftsmanship of lantern artisans.

Wild Lights is RAIN OR SHINE, no refunds or rainchecks

Wild Lights Louisville

The 1.4-mile event route is wheelchair and stroller friendly on a paved path. The path goes one direction and guests may enjoy one loop through the route to see the beautiful lanterns. A limited menu will be available at select food stands.

About Wild Lights

More than 2,000 intricate lanterns displayed in 65 larger-than-life scenes will illuminate the Zoo with over 50,000 LED bulbs. A 1.4-mile trail alongside favorites like a 131-foot-long dragon, a color changing panda tree, a walk-­through shark tunnel, fairy forest and more. Interactive displays will allow guests to leap from lily pad to lily pad and pose with our glowing wings.

Wild Lights Louisville is in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, an international event design company. Tianyu has produced 56 lantern events in 38 cities welcoming over 258 million visitors. After successful runs in other major U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, New Orleans, and Atlanta, Tianyu is expanding on this success in Louisville to create one of the largest lantern festivals in the nation.

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