More than 60 larger-than-life Chinese lanterns will light up the Saint Louis Zoo for the first-ever Animals Aglow festival.
Shaped as plant and wildlife, the lanterns and interactive light displays will illuminate pathways throughout the zoo during the nighttime festival, which begins March 13.
Highlights include strolling through the Chinese Dragon Corridor tunnel, posing with dozens of giant glowing animals, and playing with Moonlight Swings and other interactive displays.
Animals Aglow is created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., an international event design and manufacturing company in Sichuan, China. Tianyu artisans make the lanterns by hand by weaving thousands of LED lights over metal frames before covering the structures in colorful silks.
Admission to Animals Aglow includes access to the zoo’s Dinoroarus exhibit and nightly Chinese cultural performances. The festival will also feature traditional handicrafts and food specials, such as pork steam buns and firecracker chicken, for purchase.
The event, which runs March 13 to May 5, will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Zoo animals will not be viewable and animal buildings will be closed during the festival.
Tickets (from $16.95 to $23.95) go on sale beginning Jan. 31.
