All photos courtesy of Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.
The first-ever Animals Aglow lantern festival will bring a dazzling spectacle of lights to the Saint Louis Zoo. More than 60 larger-than-life Chinese lanterns and interactive light displays in the shape of plants and wildlife will illuminate paths throughout the Zoo in this nighttime event.
Guests can stroll through the Chinese Dragon Corridor tunnel, pose with dozens of giant glowing animals and play with interactive displays like the Moonlight Swings or color-changing Star Stepping Pads.
Event dates and ticket prices
Animals Aglow will be open 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays March 13 to May 5, 2024.
Tickets go on sale Jan. 31 and can be purchased online at stlzoo.org/animals-aglow. Free admission for children under age 2.
• Price for Wednesdays-Thursdays—$16.95/Member, $20.95/Non-member
• Price for Fridays-Sundays—$19.95/Member, $23.95/Non-member
• April 7 Sensory-Friendly Night for individuals with sensory sensitivities: $16.95
“We are thrilled to bring this entirely new immersive experience to St. Louis,” said Michael Macek, Saint Louis Zoo Director. “It’s a celebration of wildlife, Chinese culture and the artistry of lantern making.”
Admission to Animals Aglow includes access to the Zoo’s Emerson Dinoroarus exhibit and nightly Chinese cultural performances. The event will feature traditional handicrafts for purchase and food specials including pork steam buns, firecracker chicken, dumplings in chili crisp broth and taiyaki (a Japanese fish-shaped cake.)
This event was created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., an international event design and manufacturing company headquartered in Zigong, Sichuan, China. Artisans with Tianyu make the lanterns by hand by weaving thousands of LED lights over metal frames before covering the structures in colorful silks.
Note: Animals will not be viewable, and no animal buildings will be open during this event.
More Information
For more information, visit stlzoo.org/animals-aglow. Follow the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and post photos of the event using the hashtag #StlZoo.
Groups of 15 or more may receive a discount rate on tickets when purchased and paid for in advance. See stlzoo.org/animals-aglow for details.
Parking is free on both Zoo parking lots during the event. Lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach capacity. If lots are full, limited street parking within the boundaries of Forest Park is also available for free. The Zoo will close to the public at 5 p.m. Doors reopen at 6:30 p.m. for the event.
Sponsors
Animals Aglow is sponsored by The Goddard School, Mastercard, and Coca-Cola.
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