See yourself in the magic of Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo!
• Delight in brilliant, colorful light displays with spectacular photo opportunities throughout the Zoo. Walk through two tunnels with dazzling lights, and enjoy themed displays featuring snowflakes, candy canes, gumdrops, penguins, polar bears, tigers, giraffes and much more.
• Visit with the cool birds at Penguin & Puffin Coast and walk through the Holekamp Aqua Tunnel to see the harbor seals and California sea lions. Please note that these are the only animal exhibits open at night during the event. All other animal attractions are closed.
• Look for strolling live performers each night and enjoy “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D" at the 4D Theater. These activities are included with admission and operate weather permitting.
• New for 2025 are photos with Santa and shopping the Holiday Market.
• Kids can make a free craft to take home, participate in activities and write a letter to Santa.
• Try the Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience ($5/ticket).
Wild Lights 2025 will be held:
Friday-Sunday, November 28 — November 30
Thursday-Sunday December 4 — December 7
Monday, Dec. 8 is Sensory Friendly Night
Nightly, December 10 — December 23
Closed on December 24 — 25.
Nightly, December 26 — 28.
Monday, December 8 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.
Hours for Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Last entry is 8 p.m. Tickets for ages 2 and up are required and must be purchased in advance online at stlzoo.org. Free admission for children ages 0-23 months.
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 #WildLights2025
Find even more fun holiday events for your family in our Things To Do calendar
Get our Daily Things To Do email and never miss another fun family event!
Breakfast with Santa at the Saint Louis Zoo
Brunch with Santa and Fredbird
It's the Not-So-Haunted House that is oh-so-fun, where storybook characters come alive! Kids are invited to dress in their most "boo-tiful" Halloween costumes and have a ghoulishly good time going on a spook-tacular scavenger hunt throughout The Magic House to find trick-or-treat locations and seeing their favorite storybook characters.
Get into the Halloween spirit with some spooky fun and celebrate with the animals at Grant's Farm. Enjoy Halloween tram rides featuring Halloween lights, spooky scenes, live actors, scare zones, a Halloween-themed show, monster mash party and more. Costumes are encouraged.
The Best of Missouri Market at the Missouri Botanical Garden features more than 150 vendors offering handcrafted items, locally produced food, native plants, herbs, live music and local brews, plus a two-acre Kid's Corner with farm animals (like llamas, alpacas and sheep!), circus performers, face painting, crafts, and a pumpkin patch with decorating let by Perennial.
Families can enjoy the Fall Fest Kids Zone and all the fun of the farm at the Grant's Farm Fall Fest. There will be seasonal treats, animal feedings, a petting zoo, themed photo spots, and the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales too!
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.