ZooLIGHTful After-Hours Experience to Open at Tulsa Zoo

ZooLIGHTful returns to the Tulsa Zoo as an immersive evening experience featuring more than one mile of handcrafted Chinese animal lanterns. The exhibit will be open March 26-June 7 on Thursday through Sunday from 6-9:30 p.m.

“Lanterns are something completely new for the Tulsa Zoo, and we’re thrilled to share them with our community,” said the Tulsa Zoo Vice President of Guest Experience Pat Weisz. “Watching them come to life throughout the zoo has been incredible, and we believe the glowing displays and many interactive elements will create a truly memorable experience where families can make lasting memories together.”

Pricing for ZooLIGHTful is as follows: $23.99 for general admission, $21.99 for members, and children two and under are free. Guests can also save $4 per ticket by buying online or save 20 percent by buying a family four-pack online. All prices are subject to sales tax.

With the current ZooLIGHTful exhibit, guests can expect a radiant entrance with luminous flowers and fluttering butterflies. As they continue, they will see fierce Malayan tigers prowl in pools of golden light, shimmering hippos, towering giraffes, lively zebras and glowing foliage hiding mischievous monkeys as peacocks fan their jeweled tails. Magic is around every turn as guests enjoy many interactive lanterns, like the talking parakeets, games, moon swings and glowing photo ops.

“Many guests still fondly remember our original ZooLIGHTful holiday exhibit, which ended about 15 years ago,” said Weisz. “This new lantern experience brings that same sense of wonder back to the zoo in a fresh way. The lanterns are impressive during the day, but once the sun goes down, they truly shine, creating a magical after-hours experience that’s well worth coming back for.”

Private events at ZooLIGHTful are available for the duration of the exhibit. Contact privateevents@tulsazoo.org for more information.

This festival unveils an all-new collection of handcrafted Chinese lantern displays, showcasing the artistry and cultural heritage behind this centuries-old tradition. Created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. of Zigong, China.

Tulsa Zoo thanks the following sponsors: Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Nabholz, York Plumbing, Mix 96.5 and K95.5, Tulsa New Holland, Saint Francis Health System and Bank of Oklahoma.

For more information, or tickets to ZooLIGHTful, visit tulsazoo.org/zoolightful.