ST. LOUIS, Mo. You’ll get goose bumps as you wander through the arctic wonderland of twinkling holiday lights and seasonal sounds of U.S. Bank Wild Lights at the Saint Louis Zoo! Stop by McDonnell Polar Bear Point and you may glimpse the Zoo’s special delivery for 2015: Kali (pronounced “Cully”) the polar bear!
Dates and Times
Wild Lights is open 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday-Sunday, Nov. 27-29; Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 2-6; Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 9-13; Wednesday-Wednesday, Dec. 16-23; Saturday-Wednesday, Dec. 26-30; and Friday-Sunday, Jan. 1-3. The Zoo will close to the public at 4 p.m. each day of Wild Lights. Doors will re-open at 5:30 p.m. for the event. (Exhibit is closed on Dec. 24, 25 and 31.)
Admission
Monday through Thursday, tickets are $7 for Zoo members and $8 for general public. Friday through Sunday, tickets are $9 for Zoo members and $10 for general public. Children under age 2 receive free admission. Wild Lights tickets can be purchased online at stlzoo.org/wildlights, or at a Zoo Welcome Desk during Zoo hours. Tickets are also available at the door the nights of the event starting at 5:30 p.m. Free parking will be available on both Zoo parking lots.
Holiday Lights and Activities
You’ll be enchanted by whimsical light displays, including a neon North Pole, starry safari, jungle bell rock, snowfall flurry walk, the beautiful swan lake, poppin’ prairie dogs, an illuminated penguin colony, a fantasy butterfly garden and a charming gingerbread village, flamboyant flamingos, numerous trees ablaze in lights and much more.
Get nose-to-beak with the birds at Penguin & Puffin Coast, warm up in the tropics of the Monsanto Insectarium where you’ll see colorful insects from around the world, and go underwater through the Sea Lion Sound tunnel.
Gather ‘round the fire to fluff your fur, warm your paws and perk up your listening ears as you hear captivating animal stories by theatrical interpreters sponsored by Prairie Farms Dairy. Live ice carving demonstrations will take place on Friday and Saturday nights, and on select nights look for strolling entertainment and costumed characters throughout the event.
Climb aboard your favorite animal on the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel ($3). Chill out in the 4-D Theater featuring “Polar Express—The 4-D Experience” coming in early December ($5/person). Rides are weather permitting.
Food and Shopping
Campfire s'mores will be available for purchase at the holiday traditions area sponsored by Laclede Gas. Take a detour to one of three cafes for dinner, snacks and hot chocolate. Visit the 102.5 KEZK Blizzard Zone for all kinds of frosty fun for kids.
Shop for a variety of unique gift ideas at Zoo gift shops and receive a 10 percent discount on any purchase; Zoo members receive a 20 percent discount.
Group Rate
Groups of 15 or more may receive a group rate of $7/person on weekdays and $9/person on weekends by calling in advance. To order group tickets, call (314) 646-4718 or email groups@stlzoo.org.
For more information, visit www.stlzoo.org/wildlights, www.facebook.com/stlzoo and www.twitter.com/stlzoo, or call (314) 646-4771.
Sponsors
U.S. Bank Wild Lights is sponsored by U.S. Bank, Eaton, Laclede Gas, Prairie Farms Dairy, Build-A-Bear Workshop® at the Zoo and 102.5 KEZK.