Looking for something fun to do at night in Kansas City? Check out the amazing GloWild lantern festival at the Kansas City Zoo! These are not your typical lanterns. You don’t want to miss this. Perfect for a date night, girls’ night out, or family outing. We brought out of town visitors for our visit to GloWild the first year and had a blast.
2024 GloWild Dates
This is the third year for this popular GloWild event. The festival runs fall through the end of the year!
Sept. 6-Dec. 29, 2024
Ticket Options
2024 brings a variety of ticket options. Tickets are limited, so buy them in advance.
- Buy early bird tickets this summer for the best price (good to use without reservation)
- The unlimited pass lets you go as many times as you want (pays for itself in 2 visits)
- The combo pass for access to the zoo and the lantern festival both
- 4-pack for a group
- FOTZ (friends of the zoo member) discount tickets are available August 30
GloWild Experience
It took us about an hour and a half to see the beautiful lanterns walking along a mile of paved paths through the Kansas City Zoo at night moving from one glorious display to the next. New for 2024: Legends and Lore themed lanterns. The lanterns encompass two themes: adventure and fantasy. These exquisite lanterns are like nothing I’ve seen before. Most of the lanterns are taller than you are! See more photos in the gallery below.
Food and Entertainment at the GloWild Lantern Festival at the Kansas City Zoo
Food and drink are available to purchase (cashless so bring a credit/debit card). Be sure to plan your time to catch the special entertainment. Check the website to see what’s planned for 2024.
Location
6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, MO 64132. In Swope Park.
Parking
Free parking at the zoo, but you may need to tell parking gate attendants you are there for the zoo if they are charging for Starlight Theatre parking.
Links to learn more
GloWild “the largest event of its kind in the Midwest!”
