WildLanterns
presented by BECU
November 11, 2022 – January 22, 2023
4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
*Last entry at 8:30 p.m.
A NEW LIGHTS FESTIVAL
Closed for the Season
Thank you for your support in making our WildLanterns season a success!
We hope that you were able to visit and make lasting memories with your family and friends.
For more information about face coverings, medical accommodations and other safety protocols, see the WildLanterns FAQ.
Closure Dates
WildLanterns will be closed Mondays (with the exception of December 19 and 26, 2022), Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
WildLanterns is closed Monday through Wednesday until January 22, 2023.
ILLUMINATE YOUR HOLIDAYS
An immersive experience featuring large scale animal and nature scape lanterns representing wild places from around the globe!
Explore the zoo like never before with a lantern festival unlike any in the Northwest! WildLanterns presented by BECU offers a larger-than-life, immersive experience that will “wow” anyone, no matter their age!
Experience the Zoo Like Never Before
Start your journey by seeing the world from a smaller perspective at All About Bugs, where colorful dragonflies swarm from the trees and bouncing bunnies welcome you to their burrow. Your journey then takes you through the glowing Garden Delights all the way to A Walk Among African Animals, where beautiful flora and fauna abound, before experiencing an Asian Safari where stunning tigers, adorable red pandas and a brilliant family of orangutans await your arrival. Next, wander through the Oceania Animal Odyssey where you’ll find lanterns of some of the cutest creatures from the Southern hemisphere, such as koalas, parrots, and the adorable tree kangaroo. Finally, stop by the Magical Memories Marketplace and pick up a memento to gift your loved ones this holiday season!
MORE DETAILS
Events at WildLanterns
Lots of holiday fun with the price of admission!
Join in the magic and mystery of live traditional Chinese artistic performances. Stop by and shop for unique gifts, and experience the wonder of animals UP CLOSE at Critter Connections!
Find out more
Food Options
There will be several food options available during WildLanterns
Festive sweet and savory treats will be available for purchase at several locations around the zoo, including the Pizza Corner at 1899 Grove and at the Gather and Graze Café where covered seating will be provided. Several other satellite food locations will be set up throughout the event including the Wild Cup at the south entrance, The Nest located near the Living NW Trail along with Penguin Provisions located next to west guest services. The inside of 1899 Grove will only be available on non-event days and the Briar Oak barn, by the North Meadow, will be closed during WildLanterns.
Food and Beverage Locations and Hours
Penguin Provisions, 1899 Grove Pizza Corner and WildCup
Open 4 :00 - 8:30 p.m. every night
Gather & Graze Taqueria
November 11 - December 1, 2022
Saturday and Sunday - Open 4 :00 - 8:30 p.m.
December 2, 2022 - January 22, 2023
Open nightly 4 :00 - 8:30 p.m.
Shop the ZooStore
Both the West ZooStore and south ZooStore locations will be open during WildLanterns.
Zoomazium Hours
Zoomazium is scheduled to be open for the duration of WildLanterns, however hours of operation may vary based on staff availability.
Corporate Events
Please send your event information to brambleandwoodevents@zoo.org for information on how we can assist you with your holiday festivities!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sensory Friendly Nights
Enjoy the beauty and magic of the holiday season during WildLanterns Sensory Friendly nights.
On November 16 and December 13, 2022 and January 12, 2023; WildLanterns will feature special low sensory experiences to provide a comfortable holiday adventure for everyone. This low stimulating experience is welcome to all!
Program Activities
On the select three Sensory Friendly Nights only, Zoomazium will be transformed into a designated Sensory Friendly space called Zoomazium NightLights! The light settings will be dimmed to maintain the Sensory Friendly atmosphere. There will also be a soothing soundtrack that includes owls hooting as well as wind and river noises.
Included in Zoomazium NightLights
- A giant light-bright and shadowboxes where folks can create their own shadow puppet scenes.
- Mini-flashlights for exploring and doing shadow puppets.
- Smaller tents that will be set up in the larger open areas for families to gather and do shadow puppets.
- The toy shelf will be closed and will be replaced with one or two specific activities.
Additional Resources Available
- Sensory Items available include noise cancelling headphones, weighted blankets, fidget toys and stuffed animals. These are available at Guest Services and Zoomazium.
- Specialized Docent Carts that have been redesigned with Universal Design for Learning elements. These carts will provide more opportunities to engage with educational content and will be inclusive and accessible for all learners. These carts can be found at Zoomazium and Adaptations.
- Closed Captioning for the introductions of each of the Cultural Performances will be available in Auditorium.
- WildLanterns Social Story and Video preview for pre-trip planning
*Additional resources will be available during every WildLanterns night. Sensory Items are available during regular zoo hours as well.
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