Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lanterns Experience

Home for the Holidays!

Wild Illuminations: A Holiday Lantern Experience, presented by UPMC Health Plan, is a fabulously frosty reimagination of the Zoo’s treasured Asian Lantern Festival and Zoo Lights. Guests who have marveled at the handmade silk and steel structures will be amazed by an all-new lineup of sights, sounds, and surprises. More than a million twinkling lights will further enhance our biggest and brightest holiday glow-fest ever! Wintry activities, holiday treats, and a visit by Santa himself will make this your family’s new must-see holiday tradition.

Colossal Christmas-themed lanterns include snowflakes, trees, candy canes, and a surplus of Santa Claus. A fantastical Secret Forest is a frigid home to unicorns, a griffin, a snow monster, and an unforgettable ice dragon. Lanterns such as a mystical dream tunnel and spectrum of zodiac animals will shine light on Lunar New Year. Be sure to plan a family visit to this can’t-miss seasonal event.

Ticket Options

Best Deals: Plan-Ahead Tickets, Member and Group Discountsexpand_more

Plan-Ahead Tickets

Adult tickets range $24-$34, with child tickets for ages 2-13 priced $3 less than adult tickets. The best prices are available when you buy advance Plan-Ahead tickets for the specific day and time you would like to visit. Entry times are available every 30 minutes. The earlier in the week you purchase tickets, the better the price! Learn about Plan-Ahead Pricing.

Members: Members save $2 on all Plan-Ahead ticket types. Discount will automatically be applied to all Plan-Ahead Wild Illuminations tickets in the cart once Members log in. Number of tickets discounted is limited to the level of Membership held by the guest.

Groups: Groups of 15+ can automatically receive a $23 flat rate on all Plan-Ahead ticket types. Discount will automatically be applied to all Wild Illuminations tickets in the cart. If child rates are lower than $23 on your date of interest, you’ll receive the lower rates on those child tickets specifically. Groups must select a date and time that works for all members of the party. Note that Member discount does not apply to group sales.

Admission Process

The time on tickets indicates the half-hour range you will enter the Zoo but does not require a specific exit time. Once admitted to the Zoo at the listed time for the event, you may stay in the park as long as preferred, or until park close. Plan-Ahead tickets must be used on the selected evening, and are not transferrable to other nights.

Most Choice: Flex Ticketsexpand_more

Guests looking for the flexibility of visiting Wild Illuminations during any night or time of the festival may purchase a Flex ticket. Flex tickets are single-use, flat-rate tickets that are good for any operating night at any time 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. These premium-priced $35 tickets offer options for guests with evolving plans.

No discounts are available for Flex tickets. Ticket price applies as a flat rate to guests of all ages 24 months and up.

Activities & Add-Ons

Scavenger Huntexpand_more

For guests of all ages, activity throughout the Zoo

Included free with all admission tickets, find specialty displays and great photo opportunities as you enjoy the lanterns! Participation details available on grounds, or get started here:

Download Goosechase for iOS or Android
Participate as a guest or register for an account
Enter code “5S2PVH “, or search for “Wild Illuminations Scavenger Hunt”
Have fun exploring Zoo grounds!

Attractions, Glasses, and Value Packsexpand_more

Available on select days, upgrade your experience with a value pack! Packs available weekends, and daily starting the week before Christmas. Add-ons may be purchased at the Zoo or in advance online with Plan-Ahead tickets.

Holiday Express Pack: $7

For guests of all ages, this pack includes one ride on the Holiday Express Train (the popular ride you love, decked out in special seasonal displays), and one set of Holiday Specs diffraction glasses that diffract light into festive shapes and patterns. Family fun for all ages.

Holly-Vision Pack: $9

Guests looking to experience the season can receive one pair of Holiday Specs diffraction glasses per person and can enjoy our family-friendly seasonal VR Theater show, “Elf Power,” a five minute animated sleigh ride with Santa and his elves over snow-capped mountains on a present delivery mission. Guests under 39 inches tall or 6+ months pregnant should not ride.

Festive Holiday Pack: $12

Combine VR, Train, and Holiday Specs into a total fun package! Guests under 39 inches tall or 6+ months pregnant should not ride our VR attraction.

A la carte Attractions

VR Theater, Train, and Holiday Specs diffraction glasses may all be purchased a la carte at the carousel booth.

Did you miss adding a pack to your cart when you purchased tickets?

Buy an add-on pack online now

Reindeer Viewingexpand_more

Fully immerse yourself into a winter wonderland by witnessing the beauty of our reindeer as you walk through the lights and lanterns! Included with admission.

Community Performancesexpand_more

We have some spectacular performances that will leave you starry-eyed! Below are the dates for performances occurring at Wild Illuminations:

12/13 Youth Chamber Connection
12/18 Woodland Hills High School Chamber Choir and Jazz Band
12/19 Unisound Program “Instrument Petting Zoo”
12/20 Pittsburgh Youth Chorus

Buy Your Wild Illuminations Tickets Now

Arriving at the Zoo

Children under 24 months old do not require tickets.

Guests arriving at the Zoo without Wild Illuminations tickets may buy tickets on grounds if tickets remain available. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets before arriving at the Zoo to guarantee availability.

The event will take place rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged. Only Member and Group discounts listed on this page apply; no additional discounts are available.

Experience & Getting Around

Animals will not be visible in their public habitat during evening hours. To see all Zoo animals, you may also plan a daytime visit. Please note that the Zoo will fully close for an hour and a half between daytime operation and nighttime Wild Illuminations.

Most indoor buildings are closed, though guests have access to restrooms and Water’s Edge. Food, drinks, and gifts are available for purchase at kiosks through the Zoo.

Schedule of characters and regional performers changes nightly. Santa, favorite holiday characters, and regional musicians will appear through Christmas. In January, regional performers will highlight Lunar New Year.

Guests will walk through the Zoo to experience holiday lanterns. Tram will not operate during this evening event. Guests looking to rent a wheelchair or electric scooter are highly recommended to place an advanced reservation. Quantities are limited. Without a reservation, rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis and there is no guarantee of availability. To make a mobility assistance reservation, please call 412-365-6020.