Glowing lantern exhibit Wild Lights returns to Sedgwick County Zoo with new sculptures

Denise Neil
·2 min read

The Sedgwick County Zoo’s Wild Lights exhibit, which last year filled the zoo with dozens of glowing, larger-than-life Asian lanterns, was a big hit. More than 100,000 people went to the zoo after hours to see the exhibit.

Encouraged by its reception, the zoo decided to bring the exhibit back again this year, and it opens on Friday for a nine-week run. It’ll be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Dec. 4.

This year, the exhibit is almost all new, said Jennica King, the zoo’s director of communication. Crews from China started setting it up nearly three weeks ago, and the exhibit includes several dramatic new sculptures, including a giant shark that people can walk through, entering through his open mouth and exiting out of his tail fin. This year’s display also includes a tunnel of sunflowers designed especially for the Kansas audience, a big butterfly tree and a wisteria tunnel. Visitors also will find a new kaleidoscope tunnel and a graffiti wall they can draw on.

A sunflower tunnel has been added to the Wild Lights exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo.
A sunflower tunnel has been added to the Wild Lights exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo.

Some of last year’s eye-catching exhibits, including the giant dragon, won’t be included this year, but the wings people posed with in photos last year as well as the lighted circular swings will return.

Prices for tickets purchased online in advance will cost the same as last year —$17 for adults, $15 for children and members. But people who wait to buy tickets at the gate will pay $2 more.

Something else new this year: People can reserve Tuesday-night chauffeured golf cart rides to view the lights with drinks and snacks provided. The tours must be reserved 48 hours in advance at scz.org/event/wild-lights and cost $75 a person.

Visitors at the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Wild Lights exhibit can enter this shark through his mouth and exit through his tail fin.
Visitors at the Sedgwick County Zoo’s Wild Lights exhibit can enter this shark through his mouth and exit through his tail fin.

Wild Lights Exhibit at the Sedgwick County Zoo

When: Friday through Dec. 4

Where: Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W. Zoo Blvd.

Hours: 6-9 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays

Tickets: Advance tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for children and members. A family four-pack is $60, $52 for members. Tickets cost $2 more if purchased at the gate. Advance tickets available at scz.org/event/wild-lights