- The Wild Kaleidoscope theme will see visitors experience 13 dazzling zones of vibrant colour, including the largest lantern ever featured at Wild Lights.
- Inaugural festive food market announced with seasonal treats such as wood-fired pizza, mulled wine and golden crêpes.
- To celebrate the launch of Wild Lights, Dublin Zoo and Sunway Holidays are giving one lucky family the chance to win a magical two-night holiday to Lapland!
- Wild Lights opens to the public on Thursday, 6th November. Tickets are selling fast – book now!
Dublin Zoo is delighted to announce the return of its award-winning night-time spectacular, Wild Lights, with an all-new theme: The Wild Kaleidoscope. This winter, Dublin Zoo will shimmer into life with a breath taking festival of colour and light, where every step reveals something new. For the first time, Wild Lights will be divided into 13 kaleidoscopic zones, each with endless opportunities for exploration.
Dedicated themed colour zones will showcase a ‘hues who’ of animals, celebrating the dazzling beauty of colour in nature. From proud peacocks to shimmering sea creatures, animals of one and many colours will leave visitors in awe. Like the turning glass of a kaleidoscope, no two visits will be the same, with magical surprises and radiant creatures hiding, glowing and dazzling in their illuminated ‘habitats’.
Win a 2-Night Trip to Lapland with Sunway Holidays – Ireland’s #1 Lapland Holiday Provider
To celebrate the launch of Wild Lights, Dublin Zoo and Sunway Holidays are giving one lucky family the chance to win a magical two-night holiday to Lapland (for two adults and two children under 12). The competition launches on the 25th of September 2025. Terms and conditions apply.
From husky rides and reindeer sleighs to Santa’s Secret Hideaway, Elf School, and festive feasts, this enchanting prize promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The winning family will depart for Lapland on 27 November 2025.
Keep an eye on Dublin Zoo’s social media channels Thursday 25th September for details on how to enter!
The Winter Glow Village
Fuel your journey through Wild Lights at the brand-new Winter Glow Village, a festive food market brimming with seasonal delights. A first for Wild Lights, it’s the perfect place to snack on freshly baked pizza, warm up with a steaming mulled wine, or enjoy golden crêpes and fluffy waffles under the stars, surrounded by a glowing backdrop of enchanting lanterns.
A Truly Immersive Experience
To make the festival even more special, Dublin Zoo has introduced new photo opportunities to capture memories that last a lifetime. Guests will also learn incredible facts about the animals featured in The Wild Kaleidoscope. As they move through each zone, they’ll discover the wonders of colour in nature – from why flamingos are pink to how stripes, spots or camouflage can be vital survival tools.
Santa’s Grotto at Wild Lights
For the first time ever, from 22nd November to 23rd December, families can step into the magic of Santa’s Grotto during Wild Lights evenings. Little ones will meet Santa in his sparkling grotto and make cherished Christmas memories. Winter Bundle tickets are limited and selling fast – book early to avoid disappointment.
Spectacular Grand Finale
This year’s dazzling event will culminate with the tallest lantern ever featured at Wild Lights, and one of the largest of its kind in Europe. A breath taking finale, it will be the glowing highlight of an unforgettable evening.
Dr Christoph Schwitzer, Director of Dublin Zoo, said:
“Wild Lights is one of the highlights of the year for Dublin Zoo, and this year’s theme, The Wild Kaleidoscope, celebrates the incredible diversity and beauty of colour in nature. For animals, colour is so much more than meets the eye – it’s a method of communication and a vital survival tool for many species around the world. Through The Wild Kaleidoscope, we want to help visitors see the world as animals do and discover how colour shapes life itself.
This year’s Wild Lights promises to be one of our most spectacular yet. Visitors will enjoy brand-new experiences including the Winter Glow Village, Santa’s Grotto, and the chance to win a magical family holiday to Lapland. The team at Dublin Zoo is incredibly excited to welcome guests of all ages for a truly reimagined Wild Lights experience in 2025.”
Opening Times
Wild Lights will run on selected nights from 5pm – 9pm, 6th November 2025 to 31st January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day).
For more details on Dublin Zoo’s Wild Lights – The Wild Kaleidoscope, see here.
