Wild Lights at Dublin Zoo

You have to picture the scene for this one….its 2002, your in college and you have met this great guy…you decide on a holiday (from a brochure!! Yes I am old!) you randomly select Denmark, Copenhagen to be precise. The highlight of the trip was our evenings spent in the Tivoli Gardens. Roll forward to 2007, newly qualified as an Accountant I decide that id love a wow holiday, something memorable to mark the milestone. Same great guy is still on the scene off we flew to China and there began my love affair will all things Chinese culture.

Said great guy above became husband and a further couple of years later and we added two little men to our crew. Why the waffle!! Well, the Wild Lights experience at Dublin Zoo was quite simply magical.  It evoked wonderful memories of milestones in my life and made me feel all warm and fuzzy.  I feel I am doing it a disservice calling it an attraction, it is so much more it is an experience. It is the perfect fusion of cultures.

The setting, the twinkly lights, the ambient Chinese music…..I honestly cant convey in words just how magical it is.  Its the kind of attraction that will awe all age groups.  The highlights are billed as the 16-metre high porcelain elephant tower and a 30-metre long Chinese dragon however I can honestly say it is all pretty magical.

Rather then me waffle on here is a selection of pictures from our visit.

          

        

Wild Lights opens until the 7 January, weekend for November and every evening in December.

Honestly do it, you will not be disappointed.

Top Tips for your visit 

We have been for the last 4 years so thought it might be useful to include some tips from our own experiences over the years visiting Wild Lights with our children.

• Book Early: Tickets sell out quickly, especially for weekends and holiday periods. All tickets must be pre-booked online, so do secure your spot in advance​ as walk ins aren’t possible.
• Dress Warmly: The event takes place outdoors in winter, so wear layers, warm clothing, and comfortable shoes. It can get chilly in the evening.
• Timing is Key: Arrive early to avoid crowds and give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the displays. Visiting on weekdays is usually less crowded than weekends.
• Parking and Transport: Parking at Dublin Zoo can fill up fast, so consider using public transport or arriving early to secure a spot​
• Stay for the Full Experience: Plan to spend at least 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the magical light displays, and don’t rush through. Even do the loop a second time to really savour the experience
• Check the Weather: Since the event is outdoors, check the weather forecast and be prepared with umbrellas or waterproof clothing if rain is expected. The event goes ahead regardless of weather
• Plan for Food and Drinks: Refreshments are available, but you can bring some snacks, especially if visiting with children if they are anything like mine!

2024 – Wild Lights at Dublin zoo update

I got a google alert to tell my I had a post with a lot of traffic so I wasn’t surprised when I saw Wild Lights in the media with the details of their 2024 event. I thought it would be helpful if I popped an update in this post for 2024’s details. The theme for this years display is “A Journey Through Time,” which is a dazzling spectacle that spans Earth’s creation, the age of dinosaurs, and human civilization.

Opening details

This year Wild Lights runs from October 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The event opens nightly from 5 PM to 9 PM, except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day.

Tickets

Ticket prices range from €24.50 to €25.50 for adults and €20 to €21 for children, with discounted rates for annual pass holders and free entry for children under three. All tickets must be pre-booked online

 

Note: We were invited to the preview of Wild Lights, we were not asked to write this review, i just absolutely loved it!