Columbus Zoo Wildlights opens Nov. 20 with two new displays

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wildlights opens Nov. 20 with two new attractions and millions of LED lights spread across the Powell campus.

The annual holiday light show runs through Jan. 3, 2027, the zoo announced on its Wildlights page. This marks the event's 38th year. Wildlights is included with regular zoo admission or a Columbus Zoo membership.

The biggest additions are Starlight Safari and Bricktopia: An Array of Wild Builds.

Starlight Safari

Starlight Safari fills the Adventure Cove area with seven three-dimensional illuminated animal sculptures, each representing one of the zoo's regions. The lineup includes a polar bear, an Asian elephant and calf, a Florida manatee, a Masai giraffe, a red kangaroo and a California sea lion. A western lowland gorilla display is set to arrive in December.

Guests can walk through the Pixel Passage, a tunnel of glowing lights, while listening to what the zoo calls "celestial music."

Bricktopia

Bricktopia sits inside the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center in the Asia Quest region. OhioLUG, a recognized LEGO fan community, built the walk-through display in partnership with the zoo. It features nine mosaics of the zoo's character ambassadors, a built-in train display, a holiday animal village and a life-sized polar bear cub sculpture made from more than 24,000 bricks, according to 10TV.

Returning favorites and rides

The 12 Days of Wildlights Train Ride, Yule Tide Dino Island Boat Ride (available through Dec. 31), and Grand Carousel are all included with admission. Returning attractions include the Conservation Lake Animated Light Displays, the Oak Ridge Bears Jingle Jamboree and the Wildlights Reindeer Experience, whichh costs extra.

A new Starlight Constellation Quest and expanded holiday projections round out the additions.

Special events

Several ticketed and members-only events are scheduled:

Sensory-Friendly Light Stroll: Nov. 17, 5:30–8:30 p.m. Free for zoo members with advance registration.
Wildlights Member Night: Nov. 19, 5–9 p.m. Included with zoo membership.
Brew Lights: Nov. 28, 7–11 p.m. A separately ticketed event for guests 21 and older featuring craft beer tastings and live music.
Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience: Dec. 6, noon–4 p.m. Advance reservations required; $5 per group. Zoo admission is not required.

Tips for visiting

Wildlights opens at 5 p.m. nightly and closes at 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The zoo encourages visitors to arrive earlier in the day to see animals, since many settle in after dark. Select indoor habitats stay open during the event. The zoo also recommends weekday visits to avoid peak weekend crowds and purchasing tickets in advance.