Wildlights at Sedgwick County Zoo
Wildlights at Sedgwick County Zoo
This fall, families can enjoy a magical outdoor event at Wildlights, a special exhibit at Sedgewick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Wildlights is a one-of-a-kind display featuring beautiful Asian Lantern sculptures that light up the zoo. The display features over 45 gigantic sculptures showcasing a variety of favorite animals. From graceful swans to an archway of whimsical butterflies, to playful pandas, a magnificent lion, and a charming sea turtle... we saw many of our favorite animals on display.
Our family, including children, teens, parents, and grandparents spent two hours walking through the zoo enjoying the amazing light display. We've enjoyed many holiday light displays over the years, but this particular display was truly unique. The lantern sculptures glow in a beautiful way, unlike anything we've ever seen. Each scene is breathtaking and beautiful.
Tianyu Arts & Culture created the display and brought it to Wichita to be enjoyed through early December. It took 13 semi-trailers to bring all of the elements to the zoo, and a team from China spent hours assembling each sculpture. The company works to present conservation and sustainability messages through displays to inspire future generations. Many of the displays feature rare and endangered animals.
Details: Oct. 1 - Dec. 5, 2021, visitors are invited to enjoy Wild Lights from 6 – 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday. Roam the Zoo after dark, with your path illuminated by larger-than-life sculptures of all things WILD! Please note that indoor exhibits will be closed and resident Zoo animals will not be in attendance.
Tip: Visit Tanganyika Wildlife Park nearby where you can experience amazing animal encounters! Read our review of their Ultimate Weekend Experience here.
Your journey begins with a beautiful welcome as the entrance archway is spectacularly lit with butterflies and flowers.
The Welcome:
Walking up to the welcome archway, we overheard many oohs and aahs. This impressive display is just the beginning!
Flowers:
This flower backdrop was especially fun. Children could jump on lit up pads on the ground and the flowers would open and close! This display was truly stunning AND a ton of fun!
Swans:
The graceful swans were a universal fan favorite.
Polar Bears:
My girls LOVE bears! So, the polar bears and pandas were some of their top picks!
Pandas:
These pandas are animated, playing and moving along the display!
Sea Life:
The colors of the sea turtle change as you watch him "swim." We love the other fish and octopus too.
Lanterns:
Walking under the lantern archway was truly gorgeous and unforgettable.
Favorite Zoo Animals:
I loved all of the zoo animals on display, but the lion and sloth were probably my favorites. The "Lion King" scene was truly beautiful against the night sky. The butterfly archway features over 200 butterflies!
Sparkling Lights EVERYWHERE:
In addition to the large animal displays, there were light tunnels and sparkling light displays throughout the park. The butterflies were my oldest daughter's favorite.
Peacock:
This peacock opens and closes its feathers and they change color as well.
Sea Dragon:
This giant Sea Dragon is spectacular in person!
Wichita is only three hours from Kansas City, and this is a family-friendly unforgettable experience all ages love!
More fun in Wichita:
- Tanganyika Wildlife Park
- Kansas Aviation Museum
- Riverfront Stadium
- Old Cowtown Museum
- Botanical Garden
- Museum of World Treasures
- Keeper of the Plains
- Wichita Art Museum
- The Ulrich Museum of Art
- The Pizza Hut Museum
- Sedgwick County Park