Walk-through lantern installation
FinishedWild Lights at Louisville Zoo
Louisville, Kentucky
May 15, 2026 – July 26, 2026
Last verified · 2 official sources
At a glance
Quick facts
- Season dates
- May 15, 2026 – July 26, 2026
- Venue
- Louisville Zoo
- Usual hours
- The 2026 run operated Thursday–Sunday, May 15–July 26. Entry was 7–10 p.m. Eastern and the walking route closed at 11:30 p.m. No next-season dates are published.
- Format
- Walk-through lantern installation
- Visit time
- For the 2026 route, the zoo estimated about two hours on an approximately 1.4-mile walk.
- Organizer
- Louisville Zoo
Status & verification
Event status and verification
Finished The last verified season ran May 15, 2026 – July 26, 2026. Check the official event site for a future season announcement.
Last verified · 2 official sources
Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗Dates & hours
May 15, 2026 – July 26, 2026
The 2026 run operated Thursday–Sunday, May 15–July 26. Entry was 7–10 p.m. Eastern and the walking route closed at 11:30 p.m. No next-season dates are published.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Location & directions
Parking & transportation
- For the 2026 event, the zoo listed a $7 after-hours parking fee, including for members whose daytime parking was free. No offsite event parking was offered. Future-season parking terms are not yet confirmed.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
What to expect
- The 2026 program was an after-hours walk through four themed realms of illuminated handcrafted lanterns made with Tianyu Arts & Culture. The display lanterns stayed on land; visitors did not release them.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
- Wild Lights required admission separate from daytime zoo entry. Select animals and buildings could be visible early in the evening, but animal viewing was limited.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
How long to visit
- For the 2026 route, the zoo estimated about two hours on an approximately 1.4-mile walk.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Kids & family
- The 2026 festival welcomed all ages. Children age 2 and younger entered free; ages 3–11 needed a child ticket.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Food & drinks
- The 2026 event offered specialty foods and drinks at zoo concessions, with open stands varying by evening. Future menus have not been announced.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Accessibility
- The 2026 route was paved and described as stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, though it included steep hills and no walking-route shuttle.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
- The zoo listed limited stroller and wheelchair rentals. Motorized wheelchairs for the evening required advance reservation. Some effects could affect guests with light sensitivity.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Weather & cancellation
- The 2026 festival was planned for rain or shine, with closure possible for unsafe weather. The zoo directed guests to its website and social channels for severe-weather changes.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Tips before you go
- The 2026 season is over. The zoo page still displays 2026 purchase language, so wait for a new season announcement before attempting to buy future-event tickets.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
- For the 2026 event, guests were asked not to touch lanterns or cross display barriers; smoking and vaping were prohibited on zoo grounds.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Frequently asked questions
Are Wild Lights tickets for a new season available?
No next-season dates or tickets were confirmed at this check. The zoo’s visible sales language refers to its finished 2026 season.
Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗Do visitors release lanterns at Wild Lights?
No. The zoo’s illuminated lantern installations remained on land along a walking route.
Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗Does a daytime zoo ticket include Wild Lights?
No. The 2026 after-hours event required its own ticket.
Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗Official sources
These pages were checked on September 26, 2026. Follow the organizer’s current instructions if anything changes.
- Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗Official event schedule · official event name, 2026 dates and hours, separate admission, event parking, walk length and duration, food, family rules, accessibility, weather, visitor rules
- Louisville Zoo event calendar venue address ↗Venue directions and parking · 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
Update history
- — Marked the May–July 2026 season finished. Omitted the expired 2026 ticket CTA and prices pending a new-season announcement.Louisville Zoo 2026 Wild Lights page and FAQ ↗
Last verified · 2 official sources
Event details can change. Check the official event page before your visit.