Animals Aglow lantern festival returns to the Saint Louis Zoo with expanded 2026 run dates

A third spring season of after-hours lantern displays is scheduled from March 13 through May 17

The Saint Louis Zoo will bring back Animals Aglow, its ticketed evening lantern festival, beginning March 13, 2026. The event is scheduled to run on select nights through May 17, continuing what will be its third year as a seasonal after-hours attraction at the Zoo.

Animals Aglow is designed as a twilight walk-through experience featuring illuminated, larger-than-life lantern scenes depicting animals, plants and traditional Chinese-themed elements. The Zoo has said the 2026 edition will feature dozens of new lanterns and a total of 60 displays, alongside nightly cultural entertainment.

Dates, hours, and closures

The Zoo plans to operate Animals Aglow on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the event is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Zoo has also listed a closure on Sunday, April 19.

• Run dates: March 13 to May 17, 2026
• Standard evenings: 6:30–9:30 p.m. (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays)
• Extended evenings: 6:30–10 p.m. (Fridays, Saturdays)
• Closed: Sunday, April 19

Sensory-friendly nights and accessibility planning

Two sensory-friendly nights are scheduled for March 29 and April 8. The Zoo has described these evenings as having reduced attendance capacity and accommodations intended for guests with sensory sensitivities, aligning with broader efforts by cultural institutions to widen access to special-ticket programs through adjusted lighting, sound, and crowd-management practices.

Ticketing and what guests should expect inside the Zoo

Ticket sales are expected to begin at the end of January. Reported ticket prices for 2026 range from $17.95 to $24.95. The Zoo has also emphasized that Animals Aglow is an evening event distinct from a standard Zoo visit: animal viewing is not part of the program, and animal buildings are not scheduled to be open during the festival.

Animals Aglow is framed as a cultural and visual arts experience rather than a nighttime extension of daily animal exhibits.

Production partnership and event format

The Zoo has said the event is produced in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., a company headquartered in Zigong, Sichuan, China, and that the displays are built through a hand-assembly process using LED lighting over metal frames with decorative coverings. In addition to the lantern installations, the program is expected to include nightly performances featuring elements of Chinese culture.

Animals Aglow was introduced in 2024 and drew more than 131,000 paid attendees in its first year, the Zoo has previously reported, helping establish the festival as a recurring springtime attraction in Forest Park’s event calendar.