Wildlights

History

Wildlights began in 1988 as "Wildlight Wonderland," a smaller-scale effort to boost winter attendance at the Columbus Zoo. Before the event started, December was a slow month for the zoo, with as few as 1,000 visitors in the first week. The inaugural display featured 100,000 to 150,000 white lights around the lake, successfully drawing 12,000 people and establishing a new holiday tradition.

The event quickly grew in size and popularity, adding more lights and new attractions over the years. Early improvements included increasing the number of lights to 200,000 in the second year and adding animal-themed light sculptures. By 2006, the event fully transitioned to LED lights, paving the way for a massive expansion in the scale and creativity of the displays. This change allowed the zoo to grow its display to millions of colorful lights. The event has evolved to include themed animated shows, like the Holiday Magic light show over Conservation Lake, and new immersive experiences.

Today, Wildlights attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each season, becoming a Central Ohio holiday staple. Each year, the event continues to add new attractions, like the 2024 Yule Tide Boat Ride on Dino Island. The modern version of Wildlights also incorporates special features to enhance the guest experience, such as meet-and-greets with holiday characters like Rudolph and sensory-friendly viewing nights. Throughout its history, Wildlights has continued to expand, adding new elements while creating a cherished winter tradition for the community.

Summary

Except for the Congo and Africa regions, most of the Zoo is scheduled to be open and appointed with various Christmas decorations.

The Dinosaur Island Boat Ride, Zoo Train Ride, and Grand Carousel are also supposed to be open and in a state of appropriate Yuletide cheer, weather permitting. Gold members can ride the rides for free; otherwise, they're $3 or $4, depending on the ride and whether you're a Zoo member.

S'mores and Frosted Nuts will be available at both Wild Burger and the Congo Food Court.

There's also supposed to be a new, "immersive" light display this year in Adventure Cove. Perhaps the Zoo is trying to make everyone forget just how uncomfortable of a roller coaster the Tidal Twist is. 😆

Where we'll meet

If you've never been the Zoo before, they have "red" and "blue" parking lots that are really both equidistant from the main gate. I generally park in the red lot, but and time- and distance-wise, they're really the same.

After you've parked, the Zoo has a security gate that you just walk through while they scan you for nuclear bombs and things like that. Then there's a second gate, inside the first security gate, where you'll either give them your ticket (which you can buy either online, or at one of the ticket windows on-site), or where they'll scan the membership QR code on your phone if you're a Zoo member.

Just inside this second entry gate is a big fountain with a large metal globe over it. We'll meet by this fountain.

Restrooms and water fountains

You can't walk five feet at the Zoo without bumping into another set of restrooms and water fountains. When kids need to pee, they need to pee, and the Columbus Zoo is a family-friendly place.

The restrooms also all have paper towels and not those stupid hand dryers. When kids need to have their faces wiped, they need their faces wiped.

There are even restrooms outside the second gate before you even officially enter the Zoo. I'm telling you, someone did some good planning on this place.

Tickets / pricing

Zoo entry is $26 for residents of Franklin County, and $36 otherwise. Parking is $10.

If you're a Zoo member, though, this is all free.

"Should I buy a membership?"

Probably. If you go even twice a year, the membership pays for itself.

I will always run at least one event a year at the Columbus Zoo. This event will actually be my second at the Zoo for 2025.

After the presents are opened

After absorbing all the holiday cheer and electromagnetic radiation that the Zoo has to offer, we'll charge over to the positively rated Nocterra Brewing, which is about five minutes away from the Zoo. The brewery has a food truck that has burgers, fries, chicken, pretzels, and grilled cheese.

The actual address of the brewery is 41 Depot St, Powell, OH 43065. Come out and join us even if you can't make the Zoo (but feel appropriate guilt if you don't).