PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

With southeast Michigan experiencing everything from extreme cold and snow to record warmth and rain in recent weeks, many ticket holders to the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights have been unable to attend the annual holiday light display. The Zoo will honor those and any other unused tickets on the remaining five nights through Dec. 31. Guest are not required to select a new date or time – they can simply use their existing tickets any night they choose.

“We’ve had some extreme weather conditions on Wild Lights nights these past few weeks, so anyone with unused tickets is welcome to join us the remaining nights,” said Gerry Van Acker, Detroit Zoological Society chief operating officer. “We want everyone to be safe, warm and dry.”

Guests can stay toasty by stopping at one of the five fire pits stationed along the Wild Lights path. In addition, hot chocolate and s’mores are available for purchase at multiple locations. The Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat and Holden Reptile Conservation Center are open for guests to visit the animals – and warm up. The Jane and Frank Warchol Beaver Habitat is also open during the event.

Presented by Bank of America, Wild Lights features more than five million twinkling LED lights illuminating buildings, trees and more than 200 animal sculptures on a trail through the front half of the Zoo. The event includes holiday entertainment, arts and crafts and the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

The event also features “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4-D” for $5 with admission – or $15 for the Rudolph Package, which includes admission to Wild Lights and the 4-D Theater plus a red foam nose and glasses that turn the LED lights into snowflakes. Carousel rides, seasonal refreshments, holiday spirits and Wild Lights souvenirs are also available for purchase.

Wild Lights admission is $10 per person in advance and $13 at the gate for guests ages 2 and older (children under 2 are admitted free); parking is $6. The event is open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at main admissions and are also available at Michigan Kroger stores. If the event is sold out, a limited number of walk-up tickets will be sold between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. (the last guest is admitted at 9 p.m.).