Contact:  Kyle Shepherd
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov
(O) 502-238-5331 (C) 502-744-5639  

The ever-popular lantern festival at the Louisville Zoo — Wild Lights: Around the World — is extending performances through every night of JCPS Spring Break. Guests can attend the event each night now through Sunday, April 9. Wild Lights will return to the standard Thursday through Sunday night schedule starting April 13 through May 21. Advanced tickets to the region’s largest lantern festival are available at louisvillezoo.org/wildlights.

With an almost entirely new lineup of lanterns, guests will be able to see sights from around the world on their 1.4-mile excursion through the Zoo. Famous landmarks, flora and fauna from North and South America, Africa, Europe, Australia and Asia will be highlighted in six different zones. As families venture through the Zoo’s pathways each evening, they will experience hand-crafted, illuminated art displays comprised of silk-covered, metal frames and LED lightbulbs. The event will feature over 50,000 LED lightbulbs, 18 interactive displays, 8 animated lanterns and 10 light changing pieces that together present a spectacular feast for the eyes. A few lantern highlights include a walk-through cobra corridor, giant blue morpho butterfly, and a 9-foot, shark-themed photo opportunity. Other lanterns to look forward to including the Statue of Liberty, Sydney Opera House, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Hall of Supreme Harmony and so much more!

This 46-night immersive experience features live cultural performances including Chinese folk dances, acrobatics and more. There will also be unique handcrafted goods available for purchase along with snacks and cocktails by Service Systems Associates (SSA) – the Zoo’s food and amenity vendor.

Wild Lights is in partnership with Stewart Promotions and Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., an international event design company.

The event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly on a paved path. The festival is a rain or shine event and will be held 6:30 – 10 p.m.

NEW PERFORMANCE TIMES

Wild Lights isn’t just lanterns. Guests can also enjoy traditional Chinese performances on the MetaZoo stage. Performance times are now 7:45 p.m.; 9 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.  The performances include the lightning-fast mask changes of Sichuan Opera, folk dances, acrobatic acts, and the art of the Kung Fu Tea Show.

PRICING

General admission is $22, Louisville Zoo members receive $19 discounted admission. Children 2 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Family Four Pack tickets are available for $75; Zoo members may purchase the Family Four Pack at a discounted rate of $65. Family Four Pack ticket holders must enter the event together. Tickets available for purchase in advance online only.

Regular daytime Zoo admission tickets and Wild Lights tickets must be purchased separately. Parking for this event is $7 and can be purchased in advance online during your purchase or at the Zoo admission windows. For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org.

Wild Lights: Around the World is sponsored by Bob Ray Company, LG&E and KU Foundation, Norton Children’s, Meijer and Neil and Jane MacDonald Family.

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The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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