Glow Wild

Get Your Tickets Today!

GLOW WILD returns to Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo! Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world. Back by popular demand, this illuminating festival of lights is coming back for its second year! Join us every Thursday - Sunday from September 14- December 2 from 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM. The festival will showcase 53 large-scale illuminated displays, featuring hundreds of beautiful individual and interactive lanterns.

Spanning the width and breadth of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 30 acres, guests are invited to walk through glowing corridors. Displays of flora and fauna will light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages! The Glow Wild Lantern Festival is designed for everyone to enjoy –whether a family outing, romantic date, or coworker get-together.

The festival will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Timed tickets should be purchased online in advance and offered in half hour increments. A small number of tickets may be available at the door, depending upon Zoo capacity.

Adult tickets (ages 12 +) are $22
Children (11 and under) are $20
Children age 2 and under and adults age 76 and older are free

Wheelchairs and strollers will be available to rent on a first come first serve basis.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

Glowing Reviews for 2022!

“This was the GREATEST event to come to the zoo and the city!

"Just about the entire zoo was covered - there was something to see everywhere!

"On a scale from 0-10 this is an 11!

"My mom who is 81 years old has not stopped talking about it and is telling all her friends they need to go.

"Such a fun family adventure. It was perfect for celebrating my daughter's birthday with a few friends!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long can you stay at the glow wild lantern festival?

The tickets are sold in half hour increments so that we can control the crowd flow, but you can stay as long as you like. It should take you an hour or so to walk through the Zoo and enjoy the lanterns.

2. How late will the animals be outside?

The animals will be put away at their normal times—at 4pm when the Zoo closes. There will not be animal viewings at night.

3. Can i use my general admission day ticket towards the glow wild lantern festival?

No. These are two separate admission tickets - one for a daytime trip to the Zoo, and one for the nighttime Glow Wild experience.

4. Is the event rain or shine?

Yes, the event is rain or shine! Dress for the weather!

5. Are the tickets non-refundable? If we purchase tickets and then need to change day/time can we reschedule?

There will be no exchanges or refunds. In the event that we cancel the event, exchanges to a new date will be issued.

6. WIll the Zoo STIll close at 4 PM?

Yes. The Zoo will continue to be open daily from 9:00am - 4:00pm. At 4:00pm the zoo will close. Gates will reopen to guests who purchased GLOW WILD tickets at 5:30 PM.

7. Will there be food available?

A limited menu of drinks and snacks will be available out of the side window of the café.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Glow Wild Sponsor

Ernest & Joan Trefz Foundation

Elite Sponsors

Avangird

Select Sponsors

AARP

Coca - Cola Northeast

Liberty Bank

M&T Bank

RD Scinto

Webster Bank

Support Sponsor
Barker Specialty
GoldFish Swim

Hospitality Sponsor
Homewood Suites by Hilton

Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Support this illuminating community event by becoming a sponsor and get your/ your company's name displayed next to a lantern. Your sponsorship support will be marketed to over 125,000 onsite visitors, and include reach to over 150,000 digital followers. This event would not be possible without our sponsors and their generous support.

Please contact Ashley Volkens, Director of Development & Marketing
avolkens@beardsleyzoo.org // 203.394.5522