The Chinese lantern festival, Animals Aglow presented by Wells Fargo, will return to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for its second year running this spring with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays.
Animals Aglow celebrates the culture, art, and beauty of traditional lantern festivals celebrated in China for centuries. During the nighttime festival’s first year in 2024, more than 131,000 guests bought tickets to enjoy larger-than-life lanterns in the shape of plants, wildlife and mythical creatures.
Animals Aglow is returning with nearly all-new lanterns this year. Guests will enjoy more than 60 glowing displays, nightly cultural performances and specialty food and beverages available for purchase.
This year’s festival celebrates wildlife from three regions—Africa, South America and The Arctic—and will feature a section dedicated to traditional Chinese lanterns and folklore.
Displays this year include:
• A nearly 100-foot-long tunnel made up of traditional Chinese lanterns
• A towering interactive beehive lantern topped with giant hummingbirds
• Lanterns depicting the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs
• Interactive displays include glowing xylophones, light-up see-saws and a “starry night” walk-through tunnel in the style of Vincent Van Gogh.
Tickets go on sale online today, Jan. 29, at stlzoo.org/animalsaglow.
“Animals Aglow gives the Zoo a new way to connect our community to the incredible diversity of life on this planet," said Michael Macek, Saint Louis Zoo Director. "Its first year was an incredible success, so we are thrilled for the festival to return with so much new to see.”
Animals Aglow is created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., an international event design and manufacturing company headquartered in Zigong, Sichuan, China. Artisans with Tianyu make the lanterns by hand by weaving thousands of LED lights over metal frames before covering them in colorful silks.
Event dates and ticket prices
Animals Aglow will be open 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays from March 12 to May 11, 2025.
The festival will include two Sensory-Friendly Nights (March 23 and April 9) that will feature a smaller attendance capacity and accommodations for people with sensory sensitivities.
Tickets can be purchased online at stzoo.org/animalsaglow. Prices range from $16.95 to $23.95.
Tickets to Animals Aglow includes admission to nightly Chinese cultural performances. The event will feature traditional handicrafts and Asian food specials for purchase. Guests can also ride the Emerson Zooline Railroad, experience the Mary Ann Lee Conservation Carousel or try the Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience during Animals Aglow (separate fees).
Note: Animals will not be viewable, and no animal buildings will be open during this event.
More Information
For more information, visit stlzoo.org/animalsaglow. Groups of 15 or more may receive a discount rate on tickets when purchased and paid for in advance.
Parking is free on both Zoo parking lots during the event. Lots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The Zoo will close to the public at 5 p.m. Doors reopen at 6:30 p.m. for the event.
Sponsors
Animals Aglow is sponsored by Wells Fargo, Washington University in St. Louis and Mid America Chevy Dealers.