COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has set up their annual Wildlights to celebrate the holiday season creating unforgettable displays.

What You Need To Know

  • The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights are back for the holiday season from Nov. 22- Jan. 5, 2025

  • The Zoo hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Wildlights activities are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

  • To purchase tickets, click here

“Wildlights is more about celebrating with our communities, the holiday season, bringing people together for that sense of community and tradition and just really enjoying the lights and having something to celebrate for the year,” said the director of communications for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Jen Fields. 

Take a trip around the world and indulge in the colorful light displays, hang out with some animals and even meet Santa Claus. 

“Christmas is about lights and about color. And this is the best place to come to come see some of that. And I'm glad I'm here at the zoo to partake in all of that. Ho ho ho!” said Santa Claus. 

The holiday season is usually spent with family and loved ones of all ages and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights display has something for everyone. 

“Whether it's seeing the animals earlier in the day or enjoying the new dinosaur Island boat ride or enjoying the conservation messaging and animation around our lake and just projection mapping and seeing Santa, there's just truly something in it for everybody,” said Fields. 

The zoo is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Wildlights activities are open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

To purchase tickets, click here.