There is a laundry list of items our family enjoys checking off every holiday season in Seattle. One always at or near the top of our list is WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. It’s a festive light display that brings us together, year after year.
Whether you live in Seattle or you are visiting for the holidays, WildLanterns is a standout experience that’s fun for kids and adults alike. This seasonal after-hours event runs from mid-November through mid-January at Woodland Park Zoo, lighting up the zoo with larger-than-life animal and nature-inspired lantern displays that are dazzling and whimsical at every turn.
What Makes WildLanterns So Magical
From the moment you enter Woodland Park Zoo, you’re greeted by glowing lanterns depicting animals, plants, and fantastic scenes. Some even move, like a crocodile chomping its jaws or a reindeer flying through the air. Every stride you take along the way feels like stepping into a glowing wonderland that’s amazing for photos, holiday memories, and nighttime exploration.
Unlike daytime zoo visits, where you can see numerous animals, WildLanterns doesn’t feature most of the regular animal exhibits. But for reptile fans like ours, there are some real animals you can visit along the way in the reptile area, where you might catch views of Komodo dragons, turtles, and lizards, which our kids love!
The WildLanterns interactive zone might be the biggest hit for kids. They can bring lanterns to life and change their colors, play games, and take photos. If you have kids, this is a can’t-miss during your visit. If you don’t have kids…well…I’ll let you decide.
Family Fun Beyond WildLanterns
While most of the real animals aren’t out during WildLanterns, the immersive displays make it feel like they are. Kids — and let’s be honest, adults too — get excited over every glowing scene and intricate lantern sculpture. Creative lanterns have included playful themes like orcas nosing a soccer ball (to excite the crowd about the 2026 World Cup coming to Seattle) or oversized animal landscapes that seem to come to life at night.
The event also offers extras like a carousel ride, special themed nights, and even low-sensory evenings for families who want a quieter experience.
A Seattle Holiday Favorite
For our family, WildLanterns is a must-do holiday outing. The joy on our kids’ faces as they wander under a canopy of lights makes it one of our favorite seasonal traditions in Seattle. Every year feels a little bit different, with new lanterns to discover, new lightscapes to explore, and new memories to make. And it’s a bonus that zoo members receive a 20% discount on tickets.
If you’re planning your own holiday season itinerary, be sure to add WildLanterns at Woodland Park Zoo. It’s an experience that truly captures the spirit and wonder of the holidays right here in Seattle.
If you’re looking for other items to add to your holiday list in Seattle, we suggest Gingerbread Village, the Festival of Trees and Teddy Bear Suite, the Seattle Christmas Market, and Seattle Center Winterfest. There are plenty of things to add outside of the city as well, like cutting down your own Christmas tree, visiting the Issaquah Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo, and taking a winter hike at Franklin Falls.
What are your favorite Seattle holiday traditions? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. You can also check out Seattle Bloggers for more great places to celebrate the holidays around the area.
