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.
Members Pre- Sale Begins May 4 at 10 am
Become A Member Today to Buy Early!
Tickets on Sale to the General Public May 8 at 10am
Save with Early Bird Pricing* Through May 18
Starting at $23.
*Specialty Nights not included
A glowing, immersive twilight journey
As the sun sets, Wanderlight Trail comes alive with larger-than-life lanterns inspired by animals from around the world—creating a magical path of light and discovery.
Wander at your own pace
Explore the trail your way—pause, take it all in, and revisit your favorite illuminated moments throughout the night.
Summer nights, reimagined
Enjoy a fully outdoor, rain-or-shine experience designed for warm evenings, fresh air, and a sense of wonder under the night sky.
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
Tickets on sale for Minnesota Zoo members May 4 at 10 am and to the general public May 8 at 10 am.
Save with Early Bird pricing by purchasing before May 18 and get the lowest ticket prices of the season.
General Admission
Stroll the trail at your own pace and take in each illuminated moment. Enjoy food and beverages available for purchase as part of your evening experience.
June 3 – August 2 | Wednesdays – Sundays
Gates Open 7:30 pm – Midnight (gate closes at 11 pm)
Early Bird Pricing (Available until May 18): $23-$30
General Admission Price: $26-$30
Additional discounts available for members, children and groups.
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
$42 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
Please arrive at the Zoo at your selected ticket time. Your Wanderlight Trail experience begins approximately 30 minutes after arrival as you make your way to the trailhead.
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.
Re-entry may be limited depending on attendance and flow, but you’re encouraged to take your time and fully enjoy the experience during your visit.
Absolutely. Wanderlight Trail is designed to be a highly visual, shareable experience—don’t forget to tag @mnzoo.
Yes, food and beverages are available for purchase in Central Plaza and numerous locations along the way.
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.
Wanderlight Trail is a fully outdoor, rain-or-shine experience, so please dress for the weather.
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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