Photo by Danny Recklein – Saint Louis Zoo
This holiday season, escape to a wild wonderland with twinkling light displays and festive family fun at Wild Lights presented by Commerce Bank at the Saint Louis Zoo!
2024 Event Dates & Ticket Prices
Wild Lights is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on the following select dates:
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1 — $12/Member; $15/Non-member
Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 5-8 — $12/Member; $15/Non-member
Monday, Dec. 9 — Sensory-Friendly Night for neurodivergent guests with sensory sensitivities: $10/Member; $10/Non-member
Nightly, Dec. 11-23 — $15/Member; $18/Non-member
Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 26-29 — $12/Member; $15/Non-member
Tickets for ages 2 and up are required and must be purchased in advance online at stlzoo.org/wildlights. Free admission for children ages 0-23 months. High demand is expected, and popular dates may sell out quickly. Proceeds from the event help the Zoo provide the highest quality care for its animals.
Holiday Lights, Activities & Animals
Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays with spectacular photo opportunities throughout the Zoo. Walk through two tunnels with dazzling lights, and enjoy themed displays featuring snowflakes, candy canes, gumdrops, penguins, polar bears, tigers, giraffes and much more.
Visit with the cool birds at Penguin & Puffin Coast and walk through the Holekamp Aqua Tunnel to see the harbor seals and California sea lions. Please note that these are the only animal exhibits open at night during the event. All other animal attractions are closed.
Look for strolling live performers each night and enjoy “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D” at the 4D Theater. These activities are included with admission and operate weather permitting.
New for 2024 is the Locomotive Photo Op. Have your photo taken next to a stationary Emerson Zooline Railroad locomotive, where a Zoo volunteer will be available to take pictures with your phone or camera. (Please note that the Zooline Railroad will not operate during Wild Lights.)
Kids can make a free craft to take home, participate in activities and write a letter to Santa.
Try the new Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience ($5/ticket) showing “Elf Power,” “Great Migration” and “Gorilla Trek.”
Food & Shopping
Roast campfire s’mores (available for purchase) at one of the fire pits. Enjoy dinner, snacks, holiday drinks and more at food locations throughout the Zoo. Shop for a variety of unique gifts at Zoo gift shops and receive a 10% discount on any purchase; Zoo members receive a 20% discount.
Sensory-Friendly Night
Monday, Dec. 9, is Sensory-Friendly Night for neurodivergent guests with sensory sensitivities. This special night will mirror the traditional Wild Lights experience, but also includes sensory maps, quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals with sensory sensitivities. Sensory Night is sponsored by Mastercard.
More Information
For more information, visit stlzoo.org/wildlights. Follow the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and X. Post photos of the event using hashtags #STLZoo and #WildLights2024.
Groups of 15 or more may receive a discount rate on tickets when purchased and paid for in advance. See stlzoo.org/wildlights 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 closes to the public at 4 p.m. Doors reopen at 5 p.m. for the event.
Sponsors
Wild Lights is sponsored by Commerce Bank, Spire, Coca-Cola, Mid America Chevy Dealers and Prairie Farms Dairy.
Environmental Echo 