Dublin Zoo announces the return of Wild Lights this November
Kenneth Fox
The hugely popular Wild Light spectacle will return to Dublin Zoo this November.
The new Wild Kaleidoscope theme will feature 13 dazzling zones of vibrant colour, including the largest lantern ever showcased at Wild Lights.
The inaugural festive food market has also been announced with seasonal treats such as wood-fired pizza, mulled wine and golden crêpes.
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’.
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.
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 breathtaking finale, it will be the glowing highlight of an unforgettable evening.
For the first time, 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.
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.”
Wild Lights will sparkle for an extended period of time, lighting up selected nights from 5pm to 9pm, starting on November 6th. 2025, all the way until 31st January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day).
