One of Ohio's Favorite Holiday Traditions!

The yuletide season comes alive as we celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Wildlights! This holiday event features millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and other holiday festivities that can only be found at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Attractions:

Sparkling Spruce, presented by Diamond Cellar

Located in Adventure Cove

This tannenbaum of the 21st century presents a dazzling display of light and sound will be sure to take you on a magical journey that will inspire us all this holiday season. 

Sounds of the Season, presented by WODC 93.3 The Bus

Located at Lakeside Theater

Local choral, band and other musical groups from schools and other organizations will share their musical talents with the guests at Wildlights on select nights at 7:00pm.

Tentative Schedule:

November 17 - Vocalities
November 18 - Shanahan Middle School Choir
November 19 - Delaware Christian School Orchestra and Choirs
November 20 - Granville Chamber Singers
November 21 - Imber Solis
November 23 - Thanksgiving - CLOSED
November 27 - Central Ohio Folk Harp
November 28 - Olentangy Orange HS Ambassador Orchestra
November 29 - Modern Movement
November 30 - Westmoor Middle School Concert Band
December 1 - WCS Jazz Central and Notables Choir
December 2 - Gahanna Community Chorus
December 3 - Capriccio Youth Choir
December 4 - Central Crossing High School Orchestra
December 5 - Scarlet Fever
December 6 - Miami East High School Jazz Band
December 7 - Thomas Worthington HS Jazz Bands
December 8 - Columbus Chorus of Sweet Adelines
December 9 - Hilliard Davidson Choir
December 10 - The Worthington Chorus
December 11 - Heath High School Choirs
December 12 - Hamilton Twp HS Chamber Singers
December 13 - Joe Manning
December 14 - Miami Trace Select Ensemble
December 15 - Liberty Middle School
December 16 - Liberty Tree Elementary Children’s Chorus
December 17 - Licking Heights High School Choirs
December 19 - Pleasant Jazz Band
December 21 - Little Big Band of Columbus
December 22 - Central Ohio Folk Harp
December 23 - Joe Manning
December 24 - Christmas Eve - CLOSED
December 25 - Christmas Day – CLOSED

Holiday Magic: Animated Light Display

Located at Conservation Lake

Experience a spectacular display of light set to festive songs that will bring out the holiday spirit in everyone!

Christmas at Character Cottage

Located in North America

There's no place like home for the holidays, so while you are at the Zoo, stop by to see how our Character Ambassador friends have decorated their cottage!

While you are there, join in on the fun of the "Jingle Jamboree" with the Oak Ridge Bears, our animated polar bear band.

Captivating Projection Mapping

Located in the North America Region

Take in the wonder of your favorite wildlife scenes with a hint of holiday flare located at Bob Evans Farms My Barn in the Zoo’s North America region, and the entrance to the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center in the Asia Quest region.

12 Days of Wildlights Train Ride

Located in North America

Experience the 12 Days of Christmas in a whole new light and hop aboard this magical train ride. If you wish to sing along, here are the words. 

On the First day of Wildlights, the Zoo gave to me:

-A parrot in a palm tree
-Two tortoises
-Three otters
-Four kangaroos
-Five polar bears
-Six lions lounging
-Seven seals a swimming
-Eight flying foxes
-Nine reindeer prancing
-Ten toads a leaping
-Eleven zebras grazing
-Twelve wolves a howling

Cost is $2 per ride, per person. Ride is subject to weather and mechanical conditions.

Reindeer Corral

Located in North America

On your way to visit Santa, be sure to visit some of relatives of Santa’s reindeer team!

The Santa Experience

Located in the Polar Frontier Region at the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost.

Guests will have the ability to chat with Santa and get a photo of themselves near the jolly ol' elf himself.

Santa's Hours at the Zoo

Sunday, 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Monday thru Thursday, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.

MAKE A RESERVATION

Rudolph and Friends Meet & Greet Experience

Located in the Polar Frontier Region at the underwater viewing area.

Guests are invited to step into Bumble’s cave and meet some of the beloved characters of the classic television special, “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”!

Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster and Yukon Cornelius will be available to greet their fans create some holiday memories that only these loveable classic characters can.

Holiday Tree Trail, presented by BJ's Wholesale Club

Located at the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center in Asia Quest

Take a self-guided stroll through this indoor display of beautifully-decorated trees representing the Zoo, The Wilds, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club (with some influence of our lovable character ambassadors).

Wrap up your visit with a photo opportunity with larger-than-life ornaments paying tribute to your favorite destinations.

Jingle Jam, presented by Nationwide

Located at Shores Play Park

36 spheres of light illuminate the Shores Play Park with 6 different seasonal tunes every evening of Wildlights.

Rudolph 4D Experience

Located at Shores Play Park

Your guests are invited on an extraordinary 4D adventure this holiday season as they Experience RUDOLPH in 4-D!

1914 Mangel-Illions Carousel

Located just beyond Shores Park

Visit the Columbus Dispatch Charities Grand Pavilion and feel like a kid again while taking a spin on this historic carousel.

Cost is $2 per ride, per person. Ride is subject to weather and mechanical conditions.

Jolliest of Holidays Craft Beer Selection

Guests age 21+ will have the opportunity to sample dozens of craft beers, ciders, and seltzers from several sampling locations throughout the park! Both full-size and tasting-size portions are available for purchase.

Jolliest Holiday craft beer tasting locations will be located throughout the Zoo and will be open Thursday through Sunday evenings beginning at 5:00 p.m.

S'mores Experience

Located near Lakeside Grill

Gather around a glowing fire to roast your own giant marshmallow and enjoy this favorite holiday treat while creating even more holiday memories.

Open 5:00 p.m. 'til park close, weather permitting. Additional fees apply.

Date: November 17, 2023 - January 7, 2024

Time:

Sunday-Thursday, 5pm - 9pm
Friday-Saturday, 5pm - 10pm

Location: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - 4850 West Powell Road Powell, OH 43065

Admission to Wildlights is included with your Zoo admission or with your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Membership.

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