Popular lantern festival returns to the Kansas City Zoo for fourth year
The Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium’s popular GloWild lantern festival will return for its fourth year this week with a new theme.
GloWild: Time Traveler, featuring intricate lighted sculptures reflecting 19th-century Paris, the American centennial, a trip to the future and more, will open Friday, Sept. 5. The nighttime event, which runs through Dec. 28, also offers seasonally themed lanterns spanning fall and Halloween through winter and Christmas.
It also will include family activities such as tractor-drawn hayrides, mini-pumpkin decorating, a musical dance show and the Endangered Species Carousel as well as concessions.
Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
GloWild: Time Traveler
What: The milelong path takes guests through artworks crafted by more than 151 artisans using more than 34 tons of steel and 89,000 feet of fabric. The one-way route takes about 60 minutes to walk.
When: Hours will be 6-10 p.m. Sept. 5-Oct. 31 and 5:30-10 p.m. Nov. 1-Dec. 28. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays except Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 22-23; also closed Dec. 24. Oct. 11 is open only to ticket holders for Brew at the Zoo.
Where: Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, 6800 Zoo Drive in Swope Park.
Cost: The event requires a separate ticket from daily zoo admission. Regular admission will be $22-$24, with a $2 discount for Friends of the Zoo members. Also, unlimited admission $37-$39, four tickets for $85 and GloWild-Zoo combo tickets for $27-$39.
Parking: Free parking is available in the lots near the zoo’s front entrance.
Animal viewing: The event takes place after most animals have bedded down for the evening, so zoo animals will not be available for viewing. However, the Sobela Ocean Aquarium will be open on Wednesday evenings.
Notes:
- The new Flying Flamingo Zipline will offer rides for $8.
- Certain activities will change in November from Halloween/fall to Christmas/winter.
- GloWild is a cashless event, so you will need debit or credit cards for concessions and merchandise.
- Regular zoo accessibility amenities will be available to rent, including electric scooters, strollers, wheelchairs and wagons.
More information: kansascityzoo.org/glowild
This story was originally published September 4, 2025 at 9:16 AM.
