Wildlights returns to the Columbus Zoo with a little something for everyone

For the rest of the calendar calendar year, when the sunlight goes down, visitors at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will obtain on their own bathed in a various sort of mild. 

The zoo is putting on its once-a-year Wildlights function from Friday as a result of Jan. 2, 2022. Opening at 5 p.m. every single night time, Wildlights will attribute around 3 million lights during the zoo, Kevin Rohrbacher, revenue supervisor for the Columbus Zoo, claimed. The zoo will also function rides and sights, these kinds of as the Polar Bear Express and the S’mores Working experience, which invitations visitors to roast marshmallows in excess of a fire, in accordance to the website.

“It’s just heading to be an great spot to come out and occur cling with some buddies, or carry a day,” Rohrbacher said. “Get out and love some of the wintertime festivities we have out below.” 

Furthermore, Jeff Glorioso, director of events and promotions at the zoo, stated the Columbus Zoo will element a number of nights of appreciation for healthcare staff and first responders.

“Stuff The Truck” is a Dec. 3 celebration benefiting the Mid-Ohio Foods Lender. Glorioso said guests who deliver six non-perishable foodstuff things will obtain totally free admission into the park for the evening.

Due to the wintertime weather, some animals will not be able to take part in the festivities, Glorioso claimed. On the other hand, visitors will however have the opportunity to pay a visit to quite a few supporter favorites, this sort of as the Manatee Coast exhibit, the zoo’s Discover Reef, the Reptile Lab and the elephants, which will be in an indoor area, he reported.

Rohrbacher reported the zoo has a software with Ohio Point out D-Tix, a campus firm that delivers special discounts for students, and encourages scholar teams to get pleasure from the festivities at a discounted cost.

“It’d be great for fraternities, sororities, college student companies, whichever it is, to get out in this article, have a pleasurable outing,” Rohrbacher reported.

Glorioso stated the zoo is for visitors of all ages and people can come out, love the Wildlights and have a wonderful time, as extensive as they dress correctly for the coming weather conditions. 

“You really do not have to have youngsters to occur to the zoo,” Glorioso mentioned. “You can arrive out and understand about animals and take pleasure in the getaway time.”

Wildlights is absolutely free to zoo users, though general entrance is $21.99 for non-Franklin County residents and $16.99 for Franklin County residents, in accordance to Rohrbacher. There will also be reductions for seniors and youth.