WildLanterns Dazzles at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo

It’s a magical tradition like no other: WildLanterns is back at Woodland Park Zoo.

The light display’s fifth year brings charming, mythical creatures alongside familiar favorites. It opens Nov. 15, 2024, and runs through Jan. 19, 2025.

I was so excited to take my young daughter for the first time this year, and to see the magic through her eyes.

WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo

The excitement built as we walked through the west entrance, down a trail lined with large, illuminated flowers. My daughter looked closely at the lanterns towering over her, staring in awe as the flowers changed colors.

Once we entered the zoo, we were drawn to the “Boulevard of Blossoms,” an overhead display of hundreds of hanging blooms.

From there, we had a “choose your own adventure” moment as we decided between going right or left. The path is a huge loop around the zoo; we ended up taking the one-way path down the center and walking a figure-eight pattern to see all the lanterns. There are several hundred lanterns, with shapes ranging from familiar local animals to the most mythical of creatures.

We navigated through the path “On a Bright Desert Highway,” admiring lizards and desert plants. “Marvelous Mammals” including river otters and foxes greeted us on our journey, and we stopped for a closer look at the incredible bear catching a salmon and the heron taking a rest. Other impressive stops included “Birds of Paradise” and “Mystical Forest.”

My daughter’s favorite lanterns were the enormous bears and brightly colored unicorns. I loved the magnificent birds and flowers. There were so many lanterns to spot, with clever ones hidden in between the trees and even overhead.

Impressive scale and details of the lanterns

It’s hard to fully capture the scale of these lanterns. I knew they would be big, but I was not prepared for just how impressive they would be in person. I loved seeing my toddler daughter staring up at each one — experiencing WildLanterns with her for the first time was magical.

We both couldn’t resist getting close to the lanterns to examine the detail — from the half-open eyes of the slumbering bear to the delicate wings of a monarch butterfly. The lanterns are made of fabric stretched over a frame, like a complex kite beautifully rendered in 3D. Equally surprising to me: Some of the lanterns are animated, like the breathing bear or blinking frog. I stopped to watch a bird flapping its wings for longer than I’d like to admit. It’s just a breathtaking display.

Interactive fun and photo ops

At the entrance, we spotted giant, illuminated wings — an irresistible spot for an Instagram-worthy photo. My young daughter loved posing in the center, pretending as if the giant wings were her own, and we marveled at the wings as they changed colors.

There were also several interactive lanterns and exhibits along the path, which made for some truly memorable moments. From banging on drums that change the lights on a tree, to stepping on a circle that prompted puffs of smoke out of a flower lantern, my family stayed engaged throughout our entire visit. But I don’t want to spoil all the surprises — part of the magic is discovering the lanterns as you go!

Visit WildLanterns rain or shine

It’s an outdoor event in Seattle in the fall, so WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo happens rain or shine.

As I zipped my daughter’s winter coat and tugged her fleece-lined hat over her ears, I worried about spending a couple of hours walking around outside in the rain. But from the moment we walked through the flower-lined entrance path, to our final stop at the gift shop, we barely noticed the weather. The lanterns were so enchanting, and the wet path reflected the beautiful lights throughout the zoo.

We stopped halfway through for hot cocoa, which warmed us up and kept us going. I noticed several spots along our route ideal for getting out of the rain for a bit.

Newly opened Reptile Realm at Woodland Park Zoo

While the rest of the animal exhibits are closed during WildLanterns, families can walk through the newly opened Reptile Realm during their visit. Spot turtles, pythons and Komodo dragons — you’ll have to look closely for the smaller reptiles, but the huge Komodo dragons were impossible to miss.

It’s a break from the rain and a chance to learn more about these incredible creatures and the zoo’s conservation efforts. And who doesn’t want to see animals on a trip to the zoo?

The Zoomazium and other attractions

Also open during WildLanterns: The Zoomazium. This indoor play area is always a favorite of ours on zoo visits, and during WildLanterns it becomes Zoomazium Nightlights. The space welcomes all ages and offers different themed activities for kids to enjoy (while they warm up and take a break from the winter weather).

Just before the historic carousel, we noticed lighted igloos with cozy seating arrangements outside The Frosted Glass — WildLanterns’ bar for the 21-and-older crowd. The igloos, however, are family-friendly and available for rent (though it’s definitely a splurge).

After we peeked at the igloos, we admired the brightly lit train and animal lanterns and continued on toward the carousel, which is open during WildLanterns. My daughter happily picked a horse for her carousel ride, naming her Granola and waving goodbye to her fondly as we left.

Our final stop, of course, was the gift shop. There is always something in it that catches my eye, and I loved seeing the holiday decorations. My daughter picked a souvenir and we headed home, just a little past bedtime, with a new winter tradition in place.

Tips for parents planning a night at WildLanterns

Keep in mind that WildLanterns tickets do not get you into the zoo to see the animals during the day, and vice versa: Daytime zoo admission does not mean you can stay to see the lanterns after dark. Two separate admissions are required, though you can purchase discounted general admission tickets when you purchase your WildLanterns ticket.

If you’re planning a daytime visit to the zoo, you’ll still see the magical, colorful lanterns; they just won't be illuminated. And at night, though most of the animals are sleeping and the exhibits are closed, Reptile Realm is open.

Once you enter WildLanterns, you can stay as long as you like (but plan for around two hours to see everything). The event goes on rain or shine, so dress for the weather.

Food kiosks are open for snacks, and indoor seating is available at 1899 Grove (formerly the Rainforest Pavilion).

I did notice that in parts of the loop between lantern installations, it was very dark. There are some colored uplights in the trees, but I wished there were some string lights along the path to better guide visitors. You might consider dressing the kids in something bright and distinctive so it’s easier to keep sight of them.

Special nights

The zoo has added a few special nights this year to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy WildLanterns.

Low Sensory Nights will be held on Nov. 20 and Dec. 11, 2024, and Jan. 9, 2025, with lower sensory experiences designed to be more inclusive. Zoomazium Nightlights serves as a designated low-sensory space, with different activities, dimmed lights and gentle noises playing in the background. You can also check out sensory items (including noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys and weighted blankets) from Guest Services during any zoo visit.

The Holiday Senior Stroll welcomes seniors ages 65 and older with discounted tickets on two special Tuesday nights, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, from 4–9 p.m. It’s an all-ages event, and a great opportunity to experience the lanterns with the grandparents.

There will also be nightly live performances — including lion dance performances, umbrella juggling and chair balancing — at the PACCAR Auditorium by the south entrance.

The bottom line

WildLanterns is a special fundraising event, and the money goes toward the care and enrichment of the animals. While it can be a pricey outing for families, it is well worth experiencing if you can splurge this season. These super-sized animal lanterns are truly special — you won’t see anything like them at other local light shows.

Plus, sipping hot chocolate and admiring the amazing lanterns feels positively festive. You’ll be glad you put WildLanterns in your holiday-season plans.

Editor’s note: JiaYing Grygiel originally reported on WildLanterns for ParentMap in 2020, WildLanterns’ debut year, and contributed to this article. The article is updated each year and was most recently updated in November 2024, after ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, visited with her family to include all new attractions and details for the 2024–2025 season.