wildlights.detroitzoo.orgWild Lights at Detroit Zoo

Home Tickets Map FAQs Accessibility Volunteer Sponsors Contact Thank you for a wonderful Wild Lights season! We can’t wait to light up the night again in November 2024. Experience the sights and sounds of the season at Wild Lights ! Wild Lights , the Detroit Zoo’s annual holiday light show presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions, receives glowing reviews from visitors who have made it a holiday tradition. Guests will enjoy nearly 500 festive displays featuring millions of twinkling LED lights illuminating buildings, trees, sculptures and a walk-through light tunnel! Fun for all ages Available dates: Nov. 24-26, Dec. 1-3, Dec. 8-10, Dec. 13-23, Dec. 26-31, Jan. 2-7 Select weeknights and Sundays 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays 5 to 10:30 p.m. BUY TICKETS! This outdoor event is limited to the front half of the Zoo. There will be no access to animal habitats during your Wild Lights experience. All guests ages 2 and older require a ticket for entry. Member discounts do not apply to this event. Wild Lights is hosted in rain, snow or shine. See what everyone is saying : It’s always a treat to visit the Detroit Zoo, but there’s a little extra magic this time of year!!! Very nice displays, everything was clean and the employees we encountered were very kind and polite! – Julie Always love the lights. Definitely a must do every year! – Jeffery We were at the zoo for the Christmas Lights Show. Oh my!!! It was breathtaking! We had a great time. – Tom The wild lights experience was very nice and a good use of the zoo for after hours. Good event for families looking for holiday cheer or a couple looking for a date night idea. The light attractions mimicking the ocean was so cool that we went through twice because we missed so much the first time. – Alex We love the Detroit zoo! It’s always a blast, even during non-sunny days. We regularly visit their Wild Lights show as well. This was our first year experiencing it with our daughter (the past 4 years have just been us as a couple) and it was hands-down my favorite year yet! – Searra It was my first time going to see the Detroit Zoo Christmas lights, and I think they were absolutely unbelievable. It was SO beautiful. I can’t wait to go next year. – Ben Loved the Zoo lights display. It’s a Christmas tradition. -Jody Went for wild lights for the first time. Very cool, there was a lot to see. There were a lot of different food options. I’ve been here countless times for normal zoo visits in the spring/summer and have always had a good time. – Katelyn New and enhanced experiences: ENHANCED Field of Light Engage your senses as you watch lights move and change colors to the sounds of holiday music. ENHANCED Underwater Trail Dive into an underwater scene that takes you to the depths of the sea. At the trail end, you’ll encounter an interactive wall where you can trigger the ocean to move, sway and glow as you move your body. NEW Environmental Impact II Art Exhibition See how art can make a difference for wildlife and wild places when you visit the ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT II art exhibition inside the Ford Education Center. This traveling exhibition features art from 19 artists and highlights humans’ environmental impact. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT II is produced by David J. Wagner, L.L.C., David J. Wagner, Ph.D., Curator/Tour Director, davidjwagnerllc.com. ENHANCED Enchanted Trail Stroll through a pathway illuminated by trees and animals as you follow a fairy flitting through the forest overhead. Join the fairy on her journey as the lights sparkle and shine around you. BUY TICKETS! Wild Lights favorites: FAVORITE Toyland and Wishing Tree Immerse yourself in this childhood wonderland featuring life-sized toy sculptures of light. Highlights include a 40-foot-long train, which serves as the perfect photo op for family and friends. Don’t forget to make your holiday wish at the wishing tree! FAVORITE THE POLAR EXPRESS™ 4D Experience® Your guests are invited on an extraordinary adventure to the North Pole this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ with the SimEx-Iwerks 4D Version of the Holiday Classic! THE POLAR EXPRESS and all related characters and elements ©™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. FAVORITE Wild Lights Lodge Warm up inside this festive oasis filled with holiday décor, live entertainment, bar service, s’mores and more! FAVORITE Seasonal Treats and Eats Get your fill of the tastes of the season! Hot cocoa, warm pretzels, kettle corn, Dippin Dots and other festive favorites will be available for purchase. Don’t forget your souvenir hot cocoa cup to keep you warm throughout the event. BUY TICKETS! Mittens for Detroit Wild Lights will be a donation site for Mittens for Detroit. If you would like to support the cause, we invite you to bring a pair of new mittens or gloves and help us reach our goal of collecting 5,000 sets! MEET YOUR FAVORITE CHARACTERS AT WILD LIGHTS! On select Wild Lights evenings, we’ve invited your favorite characters for a meet and greet near the front of the Zoo. Whether you’re snapping a photo with the coolest princesses in town or meeting the world’s furriest heroes, you will see holiday dreams come true and make memories to last a lifetime. Characters scheduled from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the below evenings: Dec. 15: Get ready for a paw-some” time with your favorite fire and police dogs! Dec. 17: For real life?! Meet your favorite blue puppy! Dec. 22: Let it glow with Frozen Princess Ann, Frozen Kristof and Snow Queen Dec. 26: Let it glow with Frozen Princess Ann and Ollie the Snowman Dec. 27: Let it glow with Frozen Kristof, Ollie the Snowman and Snow Queen Dec. 28: For real life?! Meet your favorite blue puppy! Jan. 2: Get ready for a paw-some” time with your favorite fire and police dogs! Jan. 4: For real life?! Meet your favorite blue puppy! Ticket options Ticket prices are per person. All guests 2 and older require a ticket for entry. Package Name General Admission DETAILS → 4D Theater Package DETAILS → Brilliant Bundle Package DETAILS → Polar Patio Package (BEST VALUE) DETAILS → Total Experience Package DETAILS → Wild Lights admission Environmental Impact II Polar Express 4D show Daytime Zoo admission Souvenir Cup Unlimited hot cocoa Polar Patio Access Fast Pass Carousel Ride 1 ride / package $3 $3 $3 $3 Parking $8 $8 $8 $8 (FREE) Online cost $17-25 $23-31 $38 $45-55 $75 At the Gate $26 $32 $38 $55 $75 BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW The more the merrier! Groups of 20+ visiting Wild Lights at the same time are eligible for exclusive ticket discounts. To take advantage of your special offer, contact Group Sales Manager Jenise Collins at jcollins@dzs.org or (248) 336-5841. The Detroit Zoological Society is committed to providing a secular experience for all visitors throughout the entirety of Wild Lights. We do not promote any particular religious affiliation or experience during any of our events at the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center, including Wild Lights, and our focus is on creating a joyful and inclusive experience for everyone. General Admissions $17 to $25 online | $26 at the gate Enjoy general admission to our masterfully designed holiday light display. Includes: Admission to Wild Lights Access to the Environmental Impact II art exhibition. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. GET TICKETS! → 4D Theater Package $23 to $30 online | $32 at the gate In addition to Wild Lights admission, this package includes the Polar Express 4D Theater Experience, playing exclusively only during the evenings of Wild Lights. Includes: Admission to Wild Lights Access to the Environmental Impact II art exhibition. An admission ticket to the Polar Express 4D Theater Experience. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. GET TICKETS! → Brilliant Bundle Package $38 Enjoy the Zoo during the day and stay to see the magic of Wild Lights come to life! Package includes admission to the Zoo starting at 10 a.m. to watch the lights come to life! Includes: Zoo admission from 10...