U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo is back for another beautifully lit season. Your family can stroll through the Zoo grounds surrounded by a million lights! Visitors will see twinkling light displays, enjoy fun photo opportunities, holiday carolers, Santa's woodland workshop, roaming entertainers, and lots more in this enchanting holiday wonderland.
Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays throughout the Zoo, including several new displays. A 40-foot lighted tree returns as a dynamic photo opportunity. Walk through two new tunnels with twinkling lights by River Camp and South Entrance. Other displays include Blizzard Boulevard, Campfire Corner, Trinket Trading Post, Gum Drop Grove, Snowy Savanna (new), Celebration City (new), Candy Cane Lane and more.
Visit with the cool birds at Penguin & Puffin Coast and warm up in the tropics of the Bayer Insectarium to see colorful insects from around the world. (Please note that these are the only animal exhibits open at night during the event. All other animal attractions are closed.)
Look for holiday carolers and other strolling live performers on select nights. Climb aboard your favorite animal on the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel and see The Polar Express at the 4D Theater. These attractions are free with event admission and operate weather permitting.
Kids can make a free craft to take home and write a letter to Santa at the Woodland Workshop.
U.S. Bank Wild Lights 2023 will be held:
Friday, Nov. 24 — Sunday, Nov. 26
Wednesday, Nov. 29 - Sunday, December 3
Thursday, December 7 - Sunday, December 10
Monday, December 11 is Sensory Friendly Night for individuals with sensory sensitivities. This night will mirror the traditional Wild Lights experience, but will include sensory maps, quiet areas, and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals. Sensory Night is supported by The Autism Clinic at Hope.
Nightly, Wednesday, December 13 — Saturday, December 23.
Closed on December 24-25.
Nightly, December 26-30.
Hours for Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets for ages 2 and up are required and must be purchased in advance online at stlzoo.org/wildlights. Free admission for children under 2. Many nights sell out so advance purchase is highly recommended. Parking is free on both Zoo parking lots during Wild Lights. Lots fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information and tickets: stlzoo.org
#StlZoo #USBankWildLights
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Breakfast with Santa at the Saint Louis Zoo
Dinner with Santa at the Saint Louis Zoo
Brunch with Santa and Fredbird
It's the food truck event that started them all! Local food trucks gather for an evening of friends, fun, live music and plenty of great food at Sauce Food Truck Fridays. St. Louis' favorite mobile restaurants will be dishing out fresh fare and local brews in Tower Grove Park.
Kids can work on existing gym skills, learn new skills or just play around during Open Gym at Miss Kelly's Gym. Reservations are not necessary.
See the Zoo's California sea lions perform acrobatic and athletic feats, including Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, flipper walks, frisbee tosses and plenty of surprises. While on stage with the sea lions, the Zoo's trainers explain sea lion behavior and positive-reinforcement training, in addition to the need for conserving the sea lion's ocean habitat.
Young visitors and their families are invited to the Energy Stage to enjoy interactive read-alouds of science-themed picture books. Story times are followed by a short demonstration or discussion connected to the book's main concepts.
Join in on First Art, a free art program for toddlers where the focus is on the process of making art rather than the finished product. Dress to get messy!