Entry No. 81 — the Wichita file — filed under: after-dark
Wild Lights Asian Lantern Festival (Sedgwick County Zoo)
Each autumn the zoo closes the daytime animals and reopens after dark as a walk-through field of hundreds of hand-built, internally lit Asian lantern sculptures: animals, plants, and mythical creatures glowing along the paths. Now several years running, it transforms familiar zoo grounds into a softly illuminated night route. It is a fall-only, ticketed evening event rather than a year-round attraction.
The story
Once autumn hits Northwest Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo clears out its daytime crowds, locks up the animal habitats, and executes a total after-dark identity shift. The asphalt paths that usually ring with screaming toddlers turn pitch-black, illuminated only by hundreds of hand-built, internally lit lantern sculptures scattered across the grounds. Built from silk, wire, and thousands of glowing bulbs, these towering installations turn familiar zoo territory into a softly glowing neon forest of oversized beasts, botanical tunnels, and legendary creatures.
What makes the walk strange is the silent absence of actual fauna. You aren't here to see real animals—the live resident wildlife is safely shut away out of view in dark, off-limits enclosures. Instead, you're left pacing quiet, unlit park roads beneath giant glowing dragon scales, illuminated insects, and electric mythical beasts blooming against the dark Kansas canopy.
What it's like
You'll queue up after dark, scan your ticket at the entrance, and step onto dark zoo walkways broken only by clusters of glowing silk sculptures. The route meanders through distinct themed light zones, making for a slow, hand-in-hand stroll under the trees. Keep in mind that indoor exhibit buildings and animal habitats stay shuttered, so leave any hopes of seeing live animals at the gate. If the night air gets chilly, food and drink stops along the route—like Nganda—stay open with hot beverages and paninis to carry along the trail.
The move: Stroll the dark zoo paths hand in hand, weaving between glowing oversized lantern animals and mythical creatures lit from within.
📍 Before you go Autumn season only (typically lit nightly Sunday-Wednesday in past years), ticketed; animals/indoor exhibits not viewable. 2026 dates announced closer to fall.
- 📍 Northwest Wichita
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W Zoo Blvd, Wichita, KS 67212
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Sacred Sounds by Lauren (& Julie) — Trade giant silk lantern sculptures for a reiki sound bath inside a 24-foot tipi just two miles down the road.
- Giant's Footprint at Oak Park — Hunt for the giant footprint pond in Oak Park during late afternoon before heading west to see giant lighted beasts after dark.
- Old Cowtown Museum Overnight Ghost Hunt — Double down on late-night outdoor excursions by pairing glowing lantern walks with a ghost hunt through 1800s museum buildings.
Good to know
Can you see any of the zoo's real animals during Wild Lights?
No. The live animals are tucked away in dark habitats or indoor quarters for the night; Wild Lights is strictly an illuminated lantern walk.
When does the event run?
It is a seasonal fall event, running select autumn evenings (typically Wednesday through Sunday nights between October and November).
Is Wild Lights a drive-through or walk-through experience?
It is entirely a walk-through event along the zoo's paved footpaths.
Are food and drinks available inside?
Yes, designated concession stops along the illuminated route remain open during event hours serving warm food and drinks.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: scz.org · visitwichita.com · wichitamom.com · Facebook
last checked: 2026-06-23