Walk-through lantern installation
UpcomingWild Lights
Wichita, Kansas
October 14, 2026 – December 20, 2026
Last verified · 4 official sources
At a glance
Quick facts
- Season dates
- October 14, 2026 – December 20, 2026
- Venue
- Sedgwick County Zoo
- Usual hours
- The 2026 public schedule is Wednesday–Sunday, October 14–December 20, 6–9 p.m. Central. The zoo also advertises separate Monday/Tuesday VIP cart tours.
- Tickets
- 2 official ticket options listed
- Format
- Walk-through lantern installation
- Organizer
- Sedgwick County Zoo
Status & verification
Event status and verification
Upcoming The published season is October 14, 2026 – December 20, 2026. This label describes the season, not whether the gates are open right now.
Last verified · 4 official sources
Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Sedgwick County Zoo venue home and address ↗Dates & hours
October 14, 2026 – December 20, 2026
The 2026 public schedule is Wednesday–Sunday, October 14–December 20, 6–9 p.m. Central. The zoo also advertises separate Monday/Tuesday VIP cart tours.Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗
Tickets & prices
The official event source lists these options and prices.
View official ticketsPrices, fees, and availability may change. The organizer’s current terms control.
Location & directions
Parking & transportation
- The zoo’s general visitor FAQ lists parking as free. A separate Wild Lights parking policy was not confirmed; check with the zoo before travel.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
What to expect
- An after-hours walk among illuminated Asian lantern sculptures. Resident animals are not on exhibit, and indoor animal buildings are closed.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗
Kids & family
- Children age 2 and younger are admitted free to Wild Lights. The zoo sells separate evening admission for older visitors.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
Food & drinks
- The zoo lists concessions during Wild Lights, including several cafés and food stands; nightly options may vary.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
Accessibility
- Guests may bring their own mobility devices. The zoo offers wheelchair rentals and a reservable mobility scooter option for Wild Lights, subject to availability.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
Weather & cancellation
- The event is planned for rain or shine unless lightning or another unsafe condition leads the zoo to cancel.Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗
Tips before you go
- Wild Lights has a separate evening ticket. Daytime zoo visitors must leave at closing before the zoo reopens for the festival.Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
Frequently asked questions
Does regular zoo admission include Wild Lights?
No. Sedgwick County Zoo clears the grounds after its daytime hours and requires a separate Wild Lights ticket.
Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Are zoo animals on view during Wild Lights?
No. The zoo says its resident animals and indoor exhibits are not available during the event.
Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗Why do some zoo pages show different dates?
The zoo FAQ still shows an older season range. The 2026 zoo calendar and Visit Wichita list October 14–December 20, 2026.
Sedgwick County Zoo venue home and address ↗Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗Official sources
These pages were checked on September 27, 2026. Follow the organizer’s current instructions if anything changes.
- Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights event page ↗Official event schedule · exact event name, venue, Wednesday–Sunday hours, current ticket prices, format, weather, mobility scooter
- Sedgwick County Zoo venue home and address ↗Venue directions and parking · 5555 W Zoo Blvd address, 2026 Wild Lights calendar entries
- Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Official tourism guide · October 14–December 20, 2026 dates, operating nights, separate admission, address
- Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗Official visitor FAQ · separate admission, age rule, food, mobility policies, general parking, ticket flexibility; FAQ date range is older and not used
Update history
- — Used the 2026 zoo calendar and Visit Wichita schedule for dates because the zoo FAQ still displays an older October 16–December 22 date range. Event-specific parking terms were not confirmed.Sedgwick County Zoo venue home and address ↗Visit Wichita 2026 Wild Lights guide ↗Sedgwick County Zoo Wild Lights FAQ ↗
Last verified · 4 official sources
Event details can change. Check the official event page before your visit.