The Chinese lantern festival, Animals Aglow presented by Wells Fargo, will return to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for its third year running this spring with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays. Tickets are available at stlzoo.org/animalsaglow.
Animals Aglow celebrates the culture, art and beauty of traditional lantern festivals celebrated in China for centuries. The festival will illuminate the Zoo with larger-than-life lanterns and interactive experiences featuring more than 60 all-new glowing displays depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese elements. Re-imagined nightly entertainment will bring cultural traditions to life, including juggling and dancing acts. Guests will enjoy specialty food and beverages available for purchase and may even spot a nightly roaming panda character throughout the festival!
2026 displays include:
- A towering, color-changing lantern topped with giant peacocks.
- A collection of glowing cherry blossom trees surrounding a Chinese pavilion.
- Interactive displays including a brand-new peony tree with video and music elements, a glowing butterfly game and a “crawling” larger-than-life spider display.
- The all-time fan favorite dragon tunnel — returning this year with a new colorful theme!
- Three lantern neighborhoods featuring prairie dogs, river otters and flamingos — a few of the species coming to Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery, the Zoo’s new experience for children and families set to open in late summer 2026.
- A section dedicated to traditional Chinese lanterns and folklore.
“Animals Aglow gives the Zoo a new way to connect our community to the incredible diversity of life on this planet,” said Michael Macek, Executive Director, Saint Louis Zoo. “Its first two runs were an incredible success, and there’s even more for guests to see and learn this year.”
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 many of 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 is open 6:30–9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, March 13 through May 17. Extended hours until 10 p.m. will be offered on select dates. Animals Aglow is closed on Sunday, April 19. Check the website stlzoo.org/animalsaglow for the full schedule.
The festival will include two Sensory-Friendly Nights (March 29 and April 8) featuring a smaller attendance capacity and accommodations for guests with sensory sensitivities.
Tickets can be purchased online at stlzoo.org/animalsaglow. Prices range from $17.95 to $24.95.
Tickets to Animals Aglow include 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 on select nights, 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.
