POWELL, Ohio – Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium returns for its 38th year, bringing one of Central Ohio’s most treasured holiday traditions to life with exciting new experiences for guests of all ages. From November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027, Wildlights will transform the Zoo into a glowing winter wonderland filled with millions of LED lights, dazzling displays, festive entertainment, and opportunities to create lasting holiday memories. Wildlights is efficiently powered by Ohio Power Company.
The Zoo opens at noon during Wildlights season, with Wildlights festivities beginning nightly at 5 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Wildlights is included with regular Columbus Zoo admission or Zoo membership.
This year’s celebration introduces two new attractions, Starlight Safari and Bricktopia, along with returning favorites, special events, and a preview of the Zoo’s upcoming Centennial celebration in 2027.
New in 2026
Guests will discover new ways to experience Wildlights this season, including:
- Starlight Safari – Adventure Cove will shine with seven larger-than-life, three-dimensional illuminated animal displays. Representing the Zoo’s iconic regions, these radiant displays feature a polar bear, an Asian elephant and calf, a Florida manatee, a western lowland gorilla (arriving in December), a Masai giraffe, a red kangaroo, and a California sea lion. Set against serene celestial music, this nighttime experience surrounds guests with shimmering lights and brilliant colors. The popular Pixel Passage, presented by Diamond Cellar, also returns, inviting guests to stroll through an immersive tunnel of glowing lights.
- Bricktopia: An Array of WILD Builds – Created in partnership with OhioLUG, a Recognized LEGO® Fan Community, this new walk-through experience inside the Interpretive Center in the Zoo’s Asia Quest region showcases creativity, brick by brick. Guests can explore nine intricate mosaics featuring the Zoo’s beloved Character Ambassadors, an elaborate brick-built train display, a whimsical Holiday Animal Village, and a life-sized polar bear cub sculpture constructed from more than 24,000 bricks.
- More Attractions Included With Admission – This year, guests can enjoy the 12 Days of Wildlights Train Ride, Yule Tide Dino Island Boat Ride, and Grand Carousel as part of their regular Zoo admission or membership, offering even more ways to celebrate the season.
- Starlight Constellation Quest – Sponsored by Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars, this star-inspired experience in Adventure Cove adds another element to this year’s Wildlights celebration.
- Enhanced Holiday Projections – Expanded holiday projections add colorful, animated displays to select areas of the Zoo, creating an even more festive atmosphere for guests.
- Additional Holiday Lighting – New overhead light displays and festive lighting enhancements throughout the Zoo add even more sparkle to this year’s Wildlights celebration.
Returning Wildlights Favorites
Along with this year’s new attractions, Wildlights continues to offer holiday traditions and festive experiences throughout the Zoo:
- Conservation Lake Animated Light Displays – Two alternating musical light displays illuminate Conservation Lake with colorful, synchronized lights and festive music. From January 1–3, 2027, guests can also enjoy a special Centennial-themed light display celebrating the beginning of the Columbus Zoo’s 100th anniversary year.
- Oak Ridge Bears Jingle Jamboree, presented by Two Rivers Restaurant and Bar – The beloved animated bear band returns to Polar Frontier with its festive musical performance.
- Jingle Jam, presented by Nationwide – Guests can enjoy lively holiday entertainment in the Shores region with several light orbs and a new LED light wall.
- 12 Days of Wildlights Train Ride, presented by Sunny 95 – Take a festive journey through North America Trek, with train rides included with Zoo admission.
- Yule Tide Dino Island Boat Ride – Enjoy a prehistoric holiday adventure, with boat rides included with Zoo admission through December 31, 2026.
- Grand Carousel, presented by iHeart – Take a spin on the Zoo’s historic carousel, with rides included with admission.
- Santa Experience, presented by WODC The Bus – Visit Santa in Polar Frontier and share holiday wishes before his departure for the North Pole.
- Notes of Hope, presented by OhioHealth – Share holiday greetings and encouragement with patients receiving care at OhioHealth facilities.
- Pixel Passage, presented by Diamond Cellar – Stroll through a 200-foot illuminated tunnel featuring 32,000 pixels of light in Adventure Cove.
- Character Ambassador Meet and Greets – Meet some of the Zoo’s beloved Character Ambassadors and pose for festive photos at Lakeside Pavilion.
- Holiday Entertainment and Attractions – Enjoy additional seasonal experiences, including a special holiday film at Wild Explorer VR, the 4D Theater presentation of “Scrooge,” holiday shopping, and food and beverage options throughout the Zoo.
- Additional Tours and Experiences: Guests can make their Wildlights visit even more memorable with two special experiences. The Wildlights VIP Tour offers a private, guided golf cart tour through select areas of the Zoo, complete with hot chocolate and views of millions of holiday lights. The Wildlights Reindeer Experience provides guests ages 5 and older with an opportunity to meet the Zoo’s reindeer up close, enjoy festive photo opportunities, and receive a Fast Pass to meet Santa. Both experiences require advance reservations, and additional fees apply. Pricing and reservation information is available on the Zoo’s website. Tours and experiences are proudly presented by Nationwide.
Special Wildlights Events
The Columbus Zoo will also offer several special events throughout the holiday season, providing additional opportunities for guests to celebrate:
- Sensory-Friendly Light Stroll | November 17, 5:30–8:30 p.m. – This special evening offers a quieter Wildlights experience with smaller crowds, reduced background sounds, sensory kits, and access to a calming room. Admission is free for Columbus Zoo members, with advance registration required. Additional information is available on the Zoo’s website.
- Wildlights Member Night, presented by Bob Evans Farms | November 19, 5–9 p.m. – Columbus Zoo members are invited to enjoy an exclusive evening featuring millions of holiday lights, special entertainment, holiday treats, and shopping discounts. Wildlights Member Night is included with Zoo membership.
- Brew Lights | November 28, 7–11 p.m. – Guests ages 21 and older can celebrate the season with craft beer tastings from local and regional breweries, live music by Zack Attack, and festive entertainment at Water’s Edge Events Park. Brew Lights is a separately ticketed event that includes Zoo and Wildlights admission.
- Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience | December 6, noon–4 p.m. – Guests with sensory needs can enjoy a quieter visit with Santa in the Suzie Edwards Conservation Education Building, featuring softer lighting, reduced sounds, limited crowds, and scheduled entry times. Advance reservations are required for the Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience, with a $5 fee per group. Zoo admission is not required.
Plan Ahead: Tips for Your Wildlights Visit
Guests are encouraged to plan ahead to make the most of their Wildlights experience, particularly on weekends and during peak holiday dates when attendance and traffic are typically higher.
Arrive Early to See Animals: While Wildlights festivities begin at 5 p.m., guests are encouraged to arrive earlier in the day to explore the Zoo and enjoy opportunities to see animals before the evening celebrations begin. Many animals settle in for the night as daylight fades, and some may not be visible during Wildlights hours. Animal visibility varies depending on weather, habitat access, and individual animal preferences. Guests who arrive early will have the best opportunity to enjoy both the Zoo’s animal experiences and the holiday festivities.
During the evening, guests may also explore select indoor animal habitats, including:
- Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village – A variety of animal species, with the building open nightly until 8 p.m.
- Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center – Bats, langur monkeys, and sloth bears, with lighting adjusted to support animal wellbeing.
- Asian Elephant Conservation Center – Opportunities to see the Zoo’s Asian elephant herd, depending on habitat access and animal routines.
- Aquarium at Discovery Reef – Colorful fish, sharks, and other aquatic species.
- Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center – Manatees, including longtime resident Stubby and animals receiving care through the Zoo’s rescue and rehabilitation program.
- Reptile Building – Snakes, turtles, hellbenders, and other species.
- Nocturnal Building – Nocturnal species, with the building open until 9 p.m.
Animal visibility is not guaranteed, as animals have choices about where to spend their time. Guests are also asked to avoid shining flashlights or phone lights into animal habitats to support their natural nighttime behaviors and wellbeing.
Additional tips for visiting Wildlights include:
- Allow Extra Travel Time: Wildlights can bring increased traffic to the Zoo and surrounding roadways, particularly on weekends and during peak holiday dates. Guests are encouraged to allow extra travel time when planning their visit and follow posted directional signage upon arrival.
- Consider Visiting on Weekdays: Guests with flexible schedules may wish to visit Sunday through Thursday evenings, when attendance may be lighter than on peak weekend nights.
- Purchase Tickets in Advance: Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online before arriving to help streamline their visit.
For additional information, including traffic tips, parking guidance, and recommendations for planning a visit, guests can visit the Wildlights page on the Zoo’s website.
A Sustainable Celebration
Wildlights continues to reflect the Columbus Zoo’s commitment to conservation through the use of energy-efficient LED lighting and technology designed to reduce energy consumption. These efforts demonstrate how holiday traditions and conservation-conscious practices can come together while supporting the Zoo’s mission of Empowering People. Saving Wildlife.
Event Details
For more information, including hours, admission details, and updates on new features, visit https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights.
For updates about the Columbus Zoo’s events, conservation initiatives, educational programs, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
