Wild Summer Lights

Tickets are $18 for Adults (ages 13+) and $16 for Children (ages 3-12), children 2 and under will be free, but still require a ticket. Active Zoo members save $3.00 off each ticket. Need to register your membership? >> https://8994a.blackbaudhosting.com/8994a/register

This festival will follow a mile of dazzling displays through the zoo. Portions of the zoo may not be accessible, and animal visibility may be limited – but there’s still plenty of magic to enjoy along the way! We will have live music, food trucks, the Carousel and zoo gift shop will also be open.

Yes! This is a special ticketed fundraising event for the Evansville Zoological Society. Members will save $3.00 off of each ticket ONLINE. Once you add tickets to your cart, please sign in. The $3.00 discount will automatically be applied before entering payment information. Having issues? membership@meskerparkzoo.com

We are unable to offer a discount to other AZA facilities for the Wild Summer Lights Lantern Festival.

Your daytime admission ticket is valid during normal zoo hours, but an additional Wild Summer Lights ticket will be required for entry to the Lantern Festival. Daytime ticket holders must exit grounds by 5 PM. Gates will re-open at 5:30 PM for Wild Summer Lights Lantern ticket holders.

Yes! We expect high attendance and have limited capacity for each night to improve the guest experience. Advanced tickets are REQUIRED and can only be purchased directly from www.meskerparkzoo.com. Tickets will NOT be available at the gates. Need assistance? Reach out to info@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-6143.

Absolutely! This unique lantern festival welcomes all ages. Due to large attendance, the tram won’t be running, but we have mobility scooters available for rent. Mobility Scooters are $21.40 after tax and are first-come, first-served. We recommend you bring a wheelchair or mobility scooter if you have/need one. Call ahead reservations of mobility scooters aren’t available. Please note: The Lantern path is ADA accessible, but will navigate up and down steep hills in the Zoo.

Yes, the Lantern Festival will be rain or shine, unless there are threats of severe weather. If there is a cancellation due to severe weather, we can reschedule your tickets to another night of the festival by simply giving us a call at 812-435-6143. Cancellation(s) will be announced via social media and website.

Once you make your purchase on our website (www.meskerparkzoo.com), you’ll receive an emailed receipt and a separate email with a link to your E-tickets. These digital tickets are what will be scanned to enter the Lantern Festival. They can be printed or saved to your phone to easily be scanned upon entry. 3^rd party tickets and ticket transfers are not valid.

Oh no! We’re sorry you’re having difficulties receiving your E-Tickets. Rest assured, we’re here to assist you. Give us a call 812-435-6143 or email info@meskerparkzoo.com OR simply provide your order # to the gate attendant the night of the event.

Absolutely! We have single and double strollers available for rent at the front gate. Simply let the attendant know you need to rent a stroller when they scan your tickets. If you have a stroller or wagon that you’d like to bring, that is allowed as well.

We do not charge for parking at the zoo. We have 3 lots – our main parking lot, a paved lot located across the road from the Mesker Amphitheater, and a gravel lot just past the shelter house.

The event is 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM, with last admission at 8:30 PM.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, and the last admission will be at 8:30 PM. Guests can stay on zoo grounds until 9 PM and can walk through the lantern festival as many times as they please.

Please refrain from bringing the following items on zoo grounds:
Animals (service dogs are allowed in permitted areas)
Coolers
Outside Food
Outside Drinks (water is allowed)
Bikes
Roller blades or skates
Skateboards
*For more information on service animal guidelines, please visit:
ADA.gov Requirements: Service Animals
ADA.gov FAQ About Service Animals

Yes! We will be offering 2 Sensory Dates, on August 20^th and September 24^th. We will have a smaller capacity. Review our event social story before attending to know what to expect.

Sensory Sessions are designed with intention – to create a comfortable experience for guests with sensory sensitivities. These evenings feature reduced crowds, no live music, and a calmer atmosphere. If you’re able to attend a standard session, we kindly encourage you to do so, so we can keep these special nights accessible for those who truly benefit from them. A social story will be available on the Event landing page. Thank you for helping us make this experience inclusive for everyone.

Some areas of the zoo will not be accessible during the event, but animals in our Discovery Center may still be viewable. Outside animals that are near the one-mile event path have access to their indoor shelters and may or may not be viewable.

Yes! We plan to have multiple food options available each night, including food trucks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options. ($)

Wild Summer Lights Lantern Festival is perfect for ALL ages. Bring a friend or family and experience the zoo like never before.  

Guests will have access to bathrooms in the Entry Plaza, Carousel Plaza, Discovery Center, and Port-o-Johns will be located near the Family Garden.

This is a fundraiser for the Evansville Zoological Society 501(c)3. All sales are final and refunds won’t be issued. We can, however, reschedule your tickets to another available date if you have a conflict.

The lantern structures will be visible during the day; however, they won’t be on. The full lantern experience comes to life after hours and reaches full vibrancy as it gets darker.

Please do! As long as you don’t interfere with the experience of other guests. All guests must stay on the designated paths. Large equipment and drones are not permitted.