Brand-new to the Minnesota Zoo!
Wanderlight Trail: June 3 – August 2
Step into Wanderlight Trail—an all-new, immersive evening experience at the Minnesota Zoo. As the sun sets, a glowing twilight journey comes to life with larger-than-life lanterns inspired by animals from around the world. Wander at your own pace, take in each illuminated moment, and make your summer night shine a little brighter.
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Summer Nights in a Whole New Light
From the moment you arrive, you'll be surrounded by larger-than-life illuminated lanterns inspired by animals from around the world. Stroll through immersive displays, enjoy food and beverages available for purchase, capture unforgettable photos, and experience the Zoo in a way you've never seen before.
An Evening Experience that Changes with the Sky
Wanderlight transforms throughout the evening. Arrive earlier to enjoy the lanterns glowing against a colorful summer sunset or visit later for the full nighttime experience. Either way, you'll experience the trail in a unique and memorable way. Your ticket gives you the freedom to wander, revisit favorite displays, enjoy a drink or snack, and take in the experience at whatever pace feels right.
More than a Trail
Wanderlight begins the moment you arrive at the Zoo. Look up and take pics! The grand archway at the entrance includes a moving chameleon. As you make your way through the doors, experience more photo ops, grab a bite to eat and enjoy time with family and friends. Or take a dance break: the Wanderlight Trail has a DJ. Enjoy being immersed in our three lantern experiences, Pollinators, Wonders of the Ocean, and Wonders of the Land.
Tickets: One Experience, Four Ways to Explore
Wanderlight Trail is a glowing, immersive twilight journey featuring larger-than-life lanterns inspired by animals from around the world. Enhance your evening with food and beverage offerings available for purchase—perfect for turning your visit into a full summer night out.
With a variety of ticket options available, it’s easy to plan a Wanderlight experience that works for you.
Experience the magic of Wanderlight with:
• General Admission Tickets
• Fast Pass Tickets
• Specialty Nights
• Group Tickets
General Admission
Experience Wanderlight your way.
Choose the arrival window that works best for your evening and explore at your own pace. Guests may arrive anytime during their selected entry window and are welcome to enjoy the experience until closing. Both arrival windows provide the full Wanderlight experience. Guests arriving earlier will enjoy the lanterns as they begin to glow against the backdrop of a summer sunset, while later arrivals will experience the lanterns fully illuminated beneath the night sky. Choose the experience that best fits your schedule and interests.
Not sure which arrival window to choose?
Wanderlight Trail offers a different experience throughout the evening—from glowing lanterns at sunset to a fully illuminated nighttime adventure. Both options provide the full experience.
Ticket Options
Twilight Wander 8:00 p.m.
Enjoy Wanderlight Trail as the sun sets and watch the lanterns come alive as day transitions to night. Plan to arrive with in 30 minutes of your ticket time for optimal experience.Perfect for families with younger children or multigeneration families with a wide span of ages in their party looking for an earlier evening. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
Moonlight Wander 9:30p.m.
Experience Wanderlight Trail fully illuminated beneath the night sky. Perfect for date nights, groups of friends, families with young children looking for a memorable past-bedtime adventure, and guests who prefer a darker, later-evening experience with the lanterns at their most brilliant. The last opportunity to arrive at the Zoo is at 10:30 pm. The Zoo closes at midnight.
Give Your Experience a Glow Up
Skip the time slots and enjoy the experience on your schedule. Arrive when it works for you and step right into a glowing, immersive journey—it’s the easiest way to make your night shine a little brighter.
When purchasing a General Admission ticket, you’ll have the option to add a Fast Pass for $15 per person at checkout. The Fast Pass becomes available once your General Admission tickets are in your cart.
Group Tickets
Charge your social battery and gather your group. We offer a special rate for groups of 15+ attendees. To make it even easier, your discount will be applied directly to you cart when you order 15 or more! Questions? Please contact Group Sales at 952-431-9200 or mailto:[email protected].
Minnesota Zoo Private Events - Minnesota Zoo: Private event spaces with catering packages are also available to make your Wanderlight Trail outing even more memorable.
From sunset into the evening, enjoy a special after hours, two-in-one experience at the Minnesota Zoo. Explore your favorite animals, enjoy the animal trails and play areas, experience the Treetop Trail, and catch signature shows like Royal Credit Union Sea Lion Discovery and Wings Credit Union World of Birds Show.
Then, as night falls, step into Wanderlight Trail, an immersive after dark experience, featuring larger than life lantern displays, specialty food and beverage offerings, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for an evening out. Discover the Zoo in a vibrant new light.
Your Guide to the Night
Each part of the evening offers something new. Explore what’s available.
6–8 pm
- Animal Trails: Russia’s Grizzly Coast, Northern Trail, Discovery Bay
- Play Areas: The Hanifl Family Wild Woods, Woodland Adventure, CenterPoint Energy Conservation Carousel
6:30 pm
- Animal Show: Royal Credit Union Sea Lion Discovery in Discovery Bay
7:15 pm
- Animal Show: Wings Credit Union World of Birds Show at Weesner Family Amphitheater
6-10:30 pm
- Treetop Trail
8-11 pm
- Wanderlight Trail
- Food & Beverage, Retail, Music & Entertainment at event plazas
All Ages Nights
June 10, 17, 24 & July 15, 22, 29
$52 Members/ $57 Non-Members
$37 Member Child (3 -12) /$42 Non-Members Child (3 -12)
Adults Only Nights (18+)
June 11 & July 16
$52 Members/ $57 Non-Members
A fully outdoor, evening experience (rain or shine—dress for the weather)
A ¼-mile walk to the trail entrance from Central Plaza (approximately 10 minutes on varying terrain)
A ¼-mile illuminated trail experience taking approximately 40–50 minutes to explore at your own pace
Glowing lantern displays, music, and immersive lighting effects throughout the experience
Food and beverages will be available for purchase in Central Plaza and at the Wanderlight Market, located at the event trailhead.
Entry wait times may vary depending on attendance. All guests, including children ages 2 and under, require a ticket. Take your time - linger at the moments you love most and soak in your summer night.
Wanderlight Trail is an outdoor nighttime experience featuring music, colorful lighting, and immersive effects. The trail is accessible to guests using mobility assistive devices, though there are elevation changes and inclines along the path.
- Mobility devices (wheelchairs and ECVs) are available to rent only at the Guest Services desk by the Zoo’s Main Entrance.
- Strollers and wagons are welcome
FAQs the Experience
Wanderlight Trail is an all-new, immersive evening experience at the Minnesota Zoo. As the sun sets, the trail transforms into a glowing, twilight journey featuring larger-than-life lanterns inspired by animals from around the world.
Yes. Wanderlight Trail is uniquely designed for the Minnesota Zoo, combining animal-inspired lanterns with the natural landscape to create a one-of-a-kind, walk-through experience.
Wanderlight is a nighttime, ticketed experience designed specifically for evening enjoyment. Select Specialty Nights offer a two-in-one experience, combining daytime Zoo access with Wanderlight Trail.
If you’ve attended Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, the setting will feel familiar—Wanderlight takes place on the same trail, reimagined for summer nights.
No—Wanderlight Trail is designed to be a visually stunning and welcoming experience for all ages. It focuses on light, color, and wonder rather than anything spooky or intense.
FAQs - Animals and the Zoo Access
That depends on your ticket type. General Admission tickets focus on the nighttime Wanderlight experience. On select Specialty Nights, your ticket includes access to the Zoo before the trail begins—perfect for guests who want to experience both in one visit.
Yes! Wanderlight Trail is an all-ages experience, with select nights designed specifically for adults (18+).
FAQs - Planning Your Visit
Guests may choose from two arrival windows:
Twilight Wander
8:00 pm
Moonlight Wander
9:30 pm
You may arrive anytime during your selected window and enjoy the experience at your own pace. The last opportunity to arrive at the Zoo is at 10:30 pm. The Zoo closes at midnight.
As long as you arrive within your selected arrival window and before the final entry time, your ticket will be honored.
Guests that purchase the Twilight Wander may begin entering the Zoo at 7:30 p.m. Food, beverages, merchandise, and select illuminated areas will be available while you wait for the full Wanderlight experience to begin at 8:00 p.m.
Guests that purchase the Moonlight Wander can arrive at 9:30. Please note, the final opportunity to enter Wanderlight is 10:30 p.m.
The full experience takes approximately 40–50 minutes to walk the trail, plus time to reach the trailhead.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, along with weather-appropriate clothing. Even on warm days, evenings can cool down after sunset.
Wanderlight Trail runs rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
There is a $10 per car parking fee, which will be collected at when purchasing tickets. Members receive complimentary parking.
FAQs - On the Trail
The trail is designed as a continuous walking experience to keep guests moving comfortably. However, you are welcome to pause, take photos, and enjoy the experience at your own pace.
Absolutely. Wanderlight Trail is designed to be a highly visual, shareable experience—don’t forget to tag @mnzoo.
Yes! Wanderlight Trail is set within a wooded area of the Zoo, where mature trees naturally create a darker environment—even before full nightfall. The lanterns begin to glow beautifully at dusk and become more vibrant as the evening progresses.
If you prefer an earlier-in-the-evening experience, earlier time slots are a great option – especially for families with young kiddos.
FAQs - Tickets and Policy
Absolutely. Wanderlight Trail is designed to be flexible—whether you're visiting with family, friends, or enjoying a night out, it’s an easy and memorable way to spend a summer evening. Groups of 15+ receive a special rate. Please contact Group Sales at 952-431-9200 or email [email protected]
Yes, all guests—including children ages 2 and under—require a ticket for entry.
Fast Pass is an add-on experience. It costs an additional $15 per person, available during checkout after General Admission tickets are added to cart,
if it is not sold out (limited to 250 per night).
Fast Pass provides flexible arrival. Guests can arrive anytime during the event evening (no need to select a time slot.)
Fast Pass provides queue-skipping benefits (when applicable).
Limited availability: Only 250 Fast Passes available per night, on general admission tickets only.
This is a convenience upgrade; designed to make the experience more flexible and reduce potential wait time.
- Tickets are Non-refundable and the event is a rain/snow/shine event.
- Exchanges up to the day prior to the event date during normal business hours (10 am - 4 pm)-subject to availability.
- Exchange Fee: $12 per transaction
- No Exchanges day of or after the event date.
Yes! You can take advantage of our early bird sale by purchasing tickets by May 18. Members also receive discounted tickets, along with exclusive presale access. Not a member? Sign up today!
Please note that other discounts, including the Free to Explore program, do not apply to special events such as Wanderlight Trail.
Wanderlight Trail runs Wednesday through Sunday evenings from June 3 to August 2. If a date or time slot is sold out, it will no longer be available for purchase.
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13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9200
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