Animals Aglow
presented by Wells Fargo
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Wednesdays-Sundays*
March 12 to May 11, 2025
Closed Sunday, April 6
Walk around the Saint Louis Zoo at twilight amidst the luminous glow of 60 towering lanterns depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements. You’re sure to enjoy this celebration of culture and art!
This event was created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., an international event design and manufacturing company headquartered in Zigong, Sichuan, China.
Parking and Tickets
Parking is available on the North and South Lots; parking is included with admission (as available).
TICKETS (for ages 2+) Free for children ages 0-23 months | Non-Peak Night Pricing March 12-13, 16, 19-20, 26-27, 30 April 2-3, 10, 13, 16, 20, 23-24, 27, 30 | Peak Night Pricing March 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 April 4-5, 11-12, 17-19, 25-26 May 1-4, 7-11 |
MEMBER | ||
NON-MEMBER | ||
Sensory-Friendly Nights Sunday, March 23 |
When you’re ready to enter the event, have your ticket barcode ready
to be scanned. Guests will have their barcode scanned from their
print-at-home ticket or scanned digitally from their smartphone.
Tickets are valid only for the day and time noted. High demand is expected, and popular dates may sell out quickly. Tickets are nontransferable. Tickets are nonrefundable, except in the case of event cancellation
If you have questions, please contact Guest Relations at guestrelations@stlzoo.org or at (314) 646-4797, option #2.
Sensory-Friendly Nights
Sunday, March 23 and Wednesday, April 9
Sensory-Friendly Nights are for guests with sensory sensitivities and their families. These special nights will mirror the traditional Animals Aglow experience and will include sensory maps, quiet areas and trained Zoo staff to assist individuals with sensory sensitivities.
Lanterns and Entertainment
See dozens of new, hand-constructed lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights around the Zoo. Plus, enjoy nightly Chinese cultural performances.
Biodiversity will shine at Animals Aglow! You'll see lanterns representing geographic areas: Africa, Asia, South America and the Arctic. As you walk around the Zoo, you'll find educators who will share how you can help keep the species that live by you diverse by creating a healthy habitat where you live!
Note: For your safety, please do not cross marked barriers, nor climb on or touch the lanterns.
Zoo Experiences
Conservation Carousel, open nightly
- $1.95: Zoo Member
- $2.95: Non-Member
Zooline Railroad, running Fridays through Sundays (weather permitting)
- $3.95: Zoo Member
- $4.95: Non-Member
Wild Explorer VR Experience, open nightly
- $5 for all guests
Note: Daytime tickets and Adventure Passes are not valid during Animals Aglow. Animals will not be viewable, and no animal buildings will be open during this event.
Specialty Menu Items
Carousel Cafe
Chicken Kushiyaki
Crab Rangoon with Sweet Chili Sauce
Lychee Martini*
Tsingtao Premium Lager*
Ice Cream Oasis
Taiyaki Ice Cream
Lakeside Cafe
16oz. Yuzu Margaritas and Singapore Slings*
Asian Pork and Vegetable Dumplings in Aromatic Broth
Firecracker Chicken served over White Rice
Sapporo Beer (Draft)*
River Camp Cafe
Boa Pork Buns
Crispy Asian Chicken Wings
Reptile Redwood
Craft Asian Beer*
Starbucks: Year of the “Snake-rdoodle” Latte
A white mocha cinnamon dolce latte with a snake stencil design on the top. Can be made hot, iced or as a Frappuccino.
Tundra Treats
Assorted Saki*
Dragonfruit ICEE
Veggie Eggrolls with Chili Sauce
*For adults 21+
Honey Bee Tea
On select nights, enjoy special teas for purchase by the Honey Bee Tea Food Truck.
Retail and Shopping
Animals Aglow merchandise will be available at open Zoo gift shops.
Also, check out the Tianyu merchant tent. There will be a variety of cultural handicrafts for purchase.
Aluminum braiding is a traditional folk handicraft. It involves using aluminum wire and other metal materials, which are oxidized into various colors. This technique creates various shapes, including mythical creatures such as dragons and phoenixes.
The inner-bottle painting is a unique traditional craft in China. Hand-painted pictures are created inside glass, crystal and other materials. The bottles are produced by manipulating a specialized paint brush through the neck of the bottle.
Chinese lanterns are an ancient form of handcraft that originated in the Han Dynasty, flourished in the Tang Dynasty and became popular among the Song Dynasty. After thousands of years of development, lanterns have evolved into different regional styles, each with their own unique form of artistic expression.
A light-up painting is a stunning and unique piece of desk decor with a pretty scene: the lovely panda, the butterflies and the dragon winding around a palace. Also, it’s a night light with three lighting modes: warm, white and neutral. You can change the mode and create the atmosphere according to your scene or mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no timed entry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Last entry to the event is 9 p.m., and the event concludes at 9:30 p.m.
Parking is available on the North and South Lots.
While parking for the event is free, lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and may reach capacity. If lots are full, limited street parking within the boundaries of Forest Park also is available for free.
The Zoo closes to the public at 5 p.m. daily (all pathways, restaurants, exhibits and attractions will no longer be open.) Doors will re-open at 6:30 p.m. for the event. Zoo guests who are planning to attend Animals Aglow will need to exit the Zoo and have their event tickets scanned for re-entry starting at 6:30 p.m.
Buying tickets online is the best option as the Zoo may experience high call volumes.
For those unable to access the Zoo’s website, please call (314) 646-4797, option #2, to speak with a representative. Lines are staffed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Zoo's wheelchair, stroller and ECV rental fees apply for this event.
Yes, groups of 15 or more may receive a discounted rate on tickets
when purchased and paid for at least eight days prior to the visit date.
To purchase group tickets, please call (314) 646-4781.
Inclement weather with precipitation or high winds may hinder some displays from working correctly. We apologize for any inconvenience.
In case of a cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the Zoo will update its website and social media by 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Ticket holders also will receive an email. (If no guest alert has been posted by 3 p.m., the event will continue as planned.) If you have tickets for a canceled event, you will receive a full refund on the credit or debit card used to purchase. The Zoo will do its best to issue refunds promptly.
For any issues related to online ticket purchases, please call (314) 646-4797, option #2, or email guestrelations@stlzoo.org. A Zoo representative will follow up with you as soon as possible.
Visiting from out of town?
Looking for a place to stay while visiting the Zoo? Check out our hotel partners during your stay in St. Louis.
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Thank you to our sponsors!
Wells Fargo
Mid America Chevy Dealers
Washington University