PRESS ROOM
Archive: See the Detroit Zoo in a Whole New Light
Wild Lights to illuminate holiday season for 24 nights with five million lights
October 29, 2015
ROYAL OAK, Mich.,
The Detroit Zoo will light up the night this holiday season with Wild Lights, a spectacular light display presented by Bank of America. More than five million twinkling LED lights will brighten the evening sky and illuminate buildings, trees and more than 100 animal sculptures on a trail through the front half of the Zoo.
“The Detroit Zoo is a magical place in winter and even more so in the glow of holiday lights,” said Ron Kagan, Detroit Zoological Society executive director and CEO. “The enchanting assortment of illuminated exotic animal sculptures – many representing species found at the Zoo – sets this display apart from others and celebrates wildlife.”
Wild Lights will be held for 24 nights, 5:30-9 p.m., Nov. 20-22 and 27-29 and Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-23 and 26-31, 2015. Admission is $9 per person in advance and $11 at the gate for guests ages 2 and older (children under 2 are admitted free); parking is $6 per car. Tickets can be purchased online at https://detroitzoo.org/events/wild-lights or at Detroit Zoo main admissions, and will also be available at all Michigan Kroger stores.
Wild Lights guests can take in the lights and sights while enjoying holiday entertainment and activities for kids of all ages, including ice carving, arts and crafts and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
Guests can soar down a new 22-foot-tall, 150-foot-long snow slide ($3 with admission) and take a spin on the Carousel ($2 with admission). “The Polar Express 4-D Experience”, a 14-minute adaption of the feature film starring Tom Hanks, will be shown at the Wild Adventure Zone’s 4-D Theater ($5 with admission). Children under 2 are admitted free to the Wild Adventure Zone and the Carousel.
Seasonal refreshments, holiday spirits, photos with Santa Claus (until Dec. 23), Wild Lights souvenirs and zoo-themed holiday gifts will also be available for purchase.
The Holden Reptile Conservation Center, Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat and Jane and Frank Warchol Beaver Habitat will be open during Wild Lights; the remainder of the animal habitats and buildings will be closed.
Wild Lights is also sponsored by The Home Depot, HoneyBaked Ham Company, IBEW Local 58, Kroger and Royal Oak Ford.