Louisville Zoo’s Nightly Wild Lights Highlights Chinese Lanterns, Folk Dances and Acrobatics

Louisville, KY (February 8, 2024) – The Louisville Zoo is excited to announce the return of its popular lantern festival. Back for the fifth year with a lineup of new lanterns, Wild Lights runs select nights March 23 through May 19.

Wild Lights guests will venture through the Zoo’s 1.4-mile path and experience hand-crafted, illuminated art displays. The event will feature more than 60 individual displays in themed areas depicting nature, coral reefs and Chinese mythology.

Select area highlights include a blooming morning glory corridor, a 23-foot-tall octopus and a walk-through phoenix tunnel. Interactive lanterns invite guests to enhance the experience by powering lantern movements, competing in games and more.

This 38-night immersive event features live cultural performances including Chinese folk dances, acrobatics and more. There will also be unique handcrafted goods available for purchase along with snacks and cocktails by Service Systems Associates — the Zoo’s food and amenity vendor.

The event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly on a paved path. The festival is a rain or shine event and will be held 7 – 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights from March 23 – May 19, 2024. In addition, Wild Lights will run every night during JCPS Spring Break, April 1 – 5, 2024. The Zoo will host a special preview night exclusively for Louisville Zoo members on March 22.

Wild Lights is in partnership with Stewart Promotions and Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., an international event design company.

Tickets are available now at louisvillezoo.org/wildlights.

While planning a trip to Louisville, guests can download a copy of Louisville Tourism’s annual Visitor Guide to see the city's top attractions and bourbon distilleries. Visitors also can get additional city attraction, lodging and dining assistance at gotolouisville.com.