Wild Lights is the holiday lantern event at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, South Carolina, the successor to the zoo’s longtime Lights Before Christmas tradition. For 2026 the zoo has confirmed select nights from November 20, 2026 through January 10, 2027, with gates open 5:00 to 9:00 PM. The event centers on more than 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays set throughout the grounds, along with nightly fake snowfall and Santa visits through December 23.
It suits families and couples looking for a slower-paced, walk-through holiday outing rather than a drive-through light show; most visits run one and a half to two hours. Riverbanks sells tickets online by date, and it strongly recommends buying in advance since popular nights can sell out, though it is not described as a strict requirement for every guest.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
- City: Columbia
- State: South Carolina
- Dates: Select nights, November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027
- Hours: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Tickets: Not yet published; tickets go on sale November 2, 2026 at riverbanks.org
- Timed entry: Advance online purchase strongly recommended, not stated as mandatory for all guests
- New for 2026: Not announced; the event continues its 60-plus handcrafted wildlife lantern displays
What’s new for 2026
Riverbanks has not announced specific new additions for the 2026 season as of this writing. The official event page confirms the returning highlight: a walk through the zoo featuring over 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays, a format the zoo introduced when it rebranded its 35-year Lights Before Christmas tradition into Wild Lights. Expect the mix of nightly snowfall, seasonal music, photo opportunities and Santa visits that has defined recent seasons to continue. Check the official page closer to opening night for any newly announced lanterns or zones.
The lights and displays
The lantern displays depict wildlife and plants, including endangered and extinct species rendered at oversized scale, spread along the zoo’s main pathways rather than concentrated in one tunnel. Many lanterns carry short fun facts about the species they represent, giving the walk an educational angle alongside the visual one. Nightly artificial snowfall and holiday music run throughout the event, and Santa is available for photos through December 23. Most of the zoo’s outdoor habitat areas are accessible at night during event hours, though specific indoor animal buildings may vary by evening.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Riverbanks has not yet published 2026 ticket prices; the official site states tickets go on sale November 2, 2026. In recent seasons the zoo used date-based tiered pricing, with lower rates on off-peak nights and higher rates on weekends and around the holidays. Riverbanks strongly recommends buying online in advance for every visitor, including members, because popular nights sell out, but the official page does not state that advance purchase is mandatory for all guests. Check the event calendar on riverbanks.org once sales open to see night-by-night pricing and any member discount.
Food, drinks and extras
Recent Wild Lights seasons have offered private rentable igloos along the route that include games, a speaker, hot chocolate, s’mores and a small private fire pit, available for the length of a visit; availability and pricing for 2026 have not yet been published, so check the official site before planning around this add-on. Typical zoo concessions also operate during event hours. Confirm current food and drink offerings and any igloo rental details on riverbanks.org as the season approaches.
Tips for your visit
Arrive close to the 5:00 PM opening for the shortest lines and the best light before full darkness, since South Carolina evenings in late November and December cool off quickly after sunset. Weeknights are typically less crowded than weekends, so pick a weekday if your schedule allows. Dress in layers and wear comfortable walking shoes, since the route covers much of the zoo’s outdoor paths. Buy tickets online ahead of your visit since Riverbanks strongly recommends advance purchase and popular nights can sell out, even though it is not billed as mandatory for everyone. Parking details and any weather-related closures are posted on the official event page, so check it the day of your visit.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
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Wild Lights 2026 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden FAQs
When is Wild Lights 2026 at Riverbanks Zoo?
Wild Lights runs on select nights from November 20, 2026 through January 10, 2027, with hours from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Check the official calendar for the exact list of operating nights and any holiday closures.
How much are Wild Lights tickets in 2026?
Riverbanks has not published 2026 prices yet. Tickets go on sale November 2, 2026 at riverbanks.org, where pricing is expected to vary by night as it has in past seasons.
Do you need to buy Wild Lights tickets in advance?
Riverbanks strongly recommends buying tickets online in advance, since popular nights can sell out, but the official site does not state that advance purchase is required for every guest, including members. Buying ahead is the safer option if you want a specific night.
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Photo: Surfer43 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.