Animals Aglow at the Saint Louis Zoo

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Friday, April 4, 2025
Saturday, April 5, 2025

Explore the Saint Louis Zoo in the evenings at the Chinese lantern festival Animals Aglow! Animals Aglow returns to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for the second year with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays. 

Animals Aglow celebrates the culture, art, and beauty of traditional lantern festivals celebrated in China for centuries. During the nighttime festival’s first year in 2024, more than 131,000 guests bought tickets to enjoy larger-than-life lanterns in the shape of plants, wildlife and mythical creatures.  
 
Animals Aglow is returning with nearly all-new lanterns this year. Guests will enjoy more than 60 glowing displays, nightly cultural performances and specialty food and beverage available for purchase.
 
This year’s festival celebrates wildlife from three regions—Africa, South America and The Arctic—and will feature a section dedicated to traditional Chinese lanterns and folklore.
 
Displays this year include:

  • A nearly 100-foot-long tunnel made up of traditional Chinese lanterns
  • A towering interactive beehive lantern topped with giant hummingbirds
  • Lanterns depicting the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs
  • Interactive displays including glowing xylophones, light-up see-saws and a “starry night” walk-through tunnel in the style of Vincent Van Gogh.

Animals Aglow will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays from March 12 to May 11, 2025.  
 
The festival will include two Sensory-Friendly Nights (March 23 and April 9) that will feature a smaller attendance capacity and accommodations for people with sensory sensitivities.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at stzoo.org/animalsaglow. Prices range from $16.95 to $23.95.
Tickets to Animals Aglow include admission to nightly Chinese cultural performances.
 
The event will feature traditional handicrafts and Asian food specials for purchase. Guests can also ride the Emerson Zooline Railroad, experience the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel or try the Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience during Animals Aglow (separate fees). 
 
Note: Animals will not be viewable, and no animal buildings will be open during this event.

Get tickets at stlzoo.org
 

Parking is free on both Zoo parking lots during the event. Lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Zoo will close to the public at 5 p.m. Doors reopen at 6:30 p.m. for the event.  

Animals Aglow is sponsored by Wells Fargo, Washington University in St. Louis and Mid America Chevy Dealers.

Photos courtesy of the Saint Louis Zoo
 
Our Daily Things to Do email is the easiest way to plan your day.
Follow Us
 
Things to Do

President's Day Camp at Upper Limits Climbing Gym
Monday, February 17, 2025

Kids ages 7-15 can spend President's Day climbing, team building, and doing arts & crafts at Upper Limits Climbing Gym. This one-day camp is a great way to keep your child active when school is out. Campers will learn about rock climbing, as well as team building with other kids their age. 

 

 

 

View this event »
President's Day Open House at Vetta Sports
Monday, February 17, 2025

Find out if Vetta Sports' Kickaroos program is right for your child at Vetta's free Presidents' Day Open House.  This Kickaroos Open House is a great way to introduce your child to the world of sports! The Kickaroos program fosters confidence, social skills, and the ability to follow directions - all within a fun and engaging class experience. 

 

 

View this event »
Want daily ideas of things to do? How about special offers & giveaways? Sign up and we’ll handle the rest.
Popular Stories

Why Summer Camp is Great for . . . Parents

Being able to focus on yourself, your partner, and other people in your life who mean a lot to you is no small matter. As parents, we’re used to being responsible providers and caregivers. However, there’s so much more to a person: we’re also partners and friends. These are important parts of our identities that we need to cultivate. Sending your kids to summer camp may bring out your more playful side that you haven’t shown for a while.

Continue reading »
Want Your Kids to Learn? Teach Them It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s normal for parents to want to protect their children from failure. It’s also normal to want them to achieve, win, and do their best. But here’s the truth: We don’t learn anything new without making mistakes. I’ll say it again. Making mistakes is a crucial step in learning. If we’re fearful of making mistakes, learning comes to a screeching halt.

Continue reading »
Spring Break Camps Offer a Variety of Activities for Kids and Teens in St. Louis

Excitement is building for summer and the wide variety of summer camp experiences available for kids in the St. Louis metro area. But first! Spring break is around the corner, and there are plenty of Spring Break camps enrolling now. 

Continue reading »
7 Signs Your Kids Are Ready For Their First Sleepaway Camp

It’s time to decide whether to send your kids to sleepaway camp, but how do you know that's the right thing to do? How can you tell whether your kids are ready for their first extended stay away from home? Here are 7 important signs that experts say should inform your decision.

Continue reading »
Life Lessons Learned at Overnight Camp

With the perfect blend of adventure and responsibility, camp life teaches kids valuable lessons they can use for the rest of their lives. If you send your child to overnight camp, here are some life lessons they are likely to learn.

Continue reading »
You Might Also Like...

From Our Sponsors
Follow Us