• Reduced numbers – There will be a limited amount of tickets available on a first-come-first-served basis.
  We ask that you only book tickets for the sensory friendly night if one of your group has sensory sensitivities.
• 15-minute entrance times – Time slots will be 15 minutes apart, which should reduce the time it takes to get into the event.
  We ask that you arrive as close to your booked time slot as possible.
  If required, you can leave one of your group in the queue whilst the person with sensory sensitivities and a support person walks around until it is time to go in.
• Sensory / comfort items – Please bring whatever items that help put you or the person you are caring for at ease. Sensory/fidget items, weighted blankets, ear defenders, sunglasses etc. Assistance dogs are not permitted into Dublin Zoo.
  Balloons, sparklers, bikes and scooters are not permitted into DublinZoo.
• Social Story – We have put together a social story with visuals which some will find useful in planning your visit.
  We suggest that you download the social story here to your device and/or print a copy to bring with you on the night.
• Visual planner – Please download the visual schedule here which details the arrival and exit of Wild Lights and allows visitors to prepare for your visit.
• Sensory map – We have created a sensory map which indicates which areas may have loud sounds, smells and crowds. The map also notes where the zoothing/calm spaces are located as well as the accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities. You can download the map here.
• Zoothing/calm spaces – We will have two dedicated spaces where visitors can step away from the main route and take a few minutes to regulate and prepare for the next part of your journey.
• Accessible toilets – Each of the accessible toilets will be clearly signposted on the blue wayfinding signage.
  There is also a full Changing Places facility in operation. The code to enter this facility will be given to each visitor upon entrance – but there will be stewards in the area who can also give you access.

Yes, you can download the Wild Lights social story, event planner and sensory-friendly map below:

Social story.

Event planner.

Sensory map.

Yes, these will be located in the Meerkat cafe and the Family Farmhouse (subject to change, visitors will be notified of any changes to these areas) and are noted as ‘Zoothing areas’ on our map.

• These areas will be used specifically as calming spaces and visitors will be asked to respect others and their individual needs.
• To keep noise to a minimum only the person in need of the space at the time and their carer / designated support person to accompany them.
• These spaces will be needed by others so we would ask respectfully that once the person feels ready to move on that they do so.
• No food or hot beverages are to be consumed in these spaces. The smell / sight / sounds from food and drinks can be a strong trigger for other peoples’ senses.
• You can also ask any of the stewards in the orange coats standing by the barriers if you can step off the main route for a moment if required.
• It is recommended to bring whatever equipment the person needs to use as a calming method.
  Ear Defenders
  Fidgets
  Blanket etc

Yes, there are toilets and accessible toilets marked here on our map and are also sign posted on our blue wayfinding signs.

A fully accessible Changing Places facility is available to visitors who require this facility specifically. Each visitor will be verbally told the access code to this upon arrival.

Hand dryers. Some toilets are fitted with taps which incorporate an automatic hand dryer at the tap. If the sound of the hand dryer is a source of distress please use the accessible toilets.

22nd November 2023 5pm – 9pm

Admission times to Wild Lights are as follow:  

• 5pm-9pm (Last entry is strictly 8.00pm) 

• Sessions will be every 15 minutes to alleviate queuing times.

Please arrive at your designated pre-booked time slot.

No, once you enter Dublin Zoo before 8pm, your time is not limited and you can stay until we close.  

Please remember to double-check the last entry time for the date you’ll be visiting.  

The experience is suitable for all ages, families, couples and groups alike. This experience is wheelchair and buggy accessible.

Yes, the route has been designed so that wheelchairs and buggies can get around as easily as possible.

You can book a ticket for any date of Wild Lights as the route has been designed so that wheelchairs and buggies can get around as easily as possible.

For visitors with mobility issues, Dublin Zoo has a limited number of wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-served basis. Please email retail@dublinzoo.ieto reserve a wheelchair.

We have 20 wheelchairs available which are cleaned and sanitised before each use. These wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-served basis and a €10 deposit is required. To reserve a wheelchair, please email info@dublinzoo.ie with your name and the date and time of your visit.

Mobility scooters are available to rent during your visit to Dublin Zoo. The cost is €25 and they can be collected from the Visitor Operations desk at the main entrance of Dublin Zoo. You can rent a mobility scooter here.

Please be advised the rental fee is non-refundable or exchangeable and mobility scooter rentals are subject to availability.The mobility scooter rental fee does not include entry to Dublin Zoo.

For more information please email info@dublinzoo.ie or call (01) 474 8900.

Guide dogs are not permitted into Wild Lights.

Wild Lights is back with an exciting brand new theme for this year – ‘The Enchanted Zoo’. 

Come inside an enchanting world where you’ll discover the secret life of the Zoo at night! You’ll be greeted by a Wizard and presented with a choice of three pathways to explore first. From there, you’ll be transported to lands of magic and wonder, with fairies mythical creatures, multi-coloured animals and even a candyland, all lit up as beautiful silk lanterns.

As you journey through this immersive experience, you’ll also have the chance to meet the nocturnal keepers and guardians of the mystical animals and creatures, the Zoo gnomes, visible only in the Zoo at night. Wild Lights is an truly unforgettable experience for friends, families and groups, and a perfect way to come together to celebrate the festive season.

On the sensory evening, the normal Wild Lights event will be mirrored but visitors can explore the event at their own pace in a less-crowded environment, there will also be the addition of a sensory map and calm spaces.

Yes, the music will be slightly lowered but there will still be music and noise along the trail. We will have marked all of the loud/music areas on the sensory map that will be available nearer the time on our website and will be emailed in advance to all ticket purchasers.

No, it’s very unlikely you’ll see the animals as at that time of year they’ll mostly be in their indoor habitats and houses where it’s warm! 

No, Wild Lights admission tickets do not give admission to the Zoo during daytime operating hours. 

Wild Lights will still go ahead unless weather conditions are deemed unsafe for our visitors, staff and animals, in which the event will be cancelled. Please see our cancellation policy below.  

Please be aware that this is an outdoor winter experience so please dress appropriately.  

There are lockers available at the entrance. The lockers cost €2. Once you pay, you can operate the lockers via the key.

Note: In line with standard protocol for past Wild Lights, backpacks and large bags are not permitted. Only small bags measuring no bigger than A4 (8.27in/21cm x 11.7/ 29.7cm) will be permitted into the Zoo.

This is an alcohol and drug-free experience. 

There is one ATM on-site at Wild Lights, located in the main gift shop at the entrance of the Zoo.  

Entry to Wild Lights is subject to bag searches. For the safety and enjoyment of all attending, An Garda Síochána and Dublin Zoo request that patrons leave bags at home while attending Wild Lights.

Note: In line with standard protocol for past Wild Lights, backpacks and large bags are not permitted. Only small bags measuring no bigger than A4 (8.27in/21cm x 11.7/ 29.7cm) will be permitted into the Zoo.
 

Exceptions will be made for people with medical conditions and children, but all bags will be subject to search.

This is an alcohol and drug-free experience. 

Management reserves the right to refuse admission and to eject any persons attempting to interfere with Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo or gain access to any non-public areas within the Zoo. Please note and adhere to all public signage and staff instructions while in the Zoo. 

Yes, the Dublin Zoo gift shop will be open. Alternatively, you can visit our online Zootique to purchase your Dublin Zoo gifts and have them posted to you. 

There are also a number of festive kiosks open. Please take a look at the map below for further information.

Sensory-friendly map

Yes, there will be select toilets available along the trail as well as accessible and Changing Places facilities which are signposted on our blue wayfinding signage. 

There will be select food and beverage kiosks available for take away services along the trail. 

Dublin Zoo does not offer refunds for Wild Lights tickets apart from in the event of a venue closure actioned by Dublin Zoo. 

In the event of a cancellation of Wild Lights, attendees will be notified at the earliest convenience by email to the email address used to book the tickets. It is the responsibility of the attendees to check their emails before departing for the event to check for any updates and to make sure email addresses are correctly entered when booking tickets.  

In the event of a cancellation, attendees will be given a full refund which they will receive within 15 working days of the cancelled event.  

Dublin Zoo accepts no responsibility for a customer’s inability to attend Wild Lights due to any external factor including but not exclusive to traffic restrictions, illness, weather conditions etc. 

Dublin Zoo reserves the right to change or update experience timings and content up to and on the day of the event. 

Dublin Zoo reserves the right to cancel any nights of Wild Lights for any reason deemed necessary for the safety and well-being of our visitors, staff and animals including unsafe weather conditions.  

In the event of a cancellation of Wild Lights, attendees will be notified at the earliest convenience by email to the email address used to book the tickets. It is the responsibility of the attendees to check their emails before departing for Wild Lights to check for any updates, and to make sure email addresses are correctly entered when booking tickets.  

In the event of a cancellation, attendees will be given a full refund which they will receive within 15 working days maximum of the cancelled date.