Win Tickets to Mesker Park Zoo’s Wild Summer Lights

One of Evansville's most spectacular summer events is already lighting up the night again.

Wild Summer Lights has returned to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, transforming the zoo into a colorful after-hours experience filled with larger-than-life Chinese lantern displays, live entertainment, food trucks, and family fun.

And this time, we've got a chance for you to experience it for free.

Keep reading for your chance to win a Family Four-Pack of tickets to Wild Summer Lights.

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A Mile of Illuminated Wonder

Wild Summer Lights offers a completely different way to experience Mesker Park Zoo.

Guests can stroll through more than a mile of handcrafted Chinese lantern displays, featuring colorful scenes inspired by wildlife, nature, art, and culture.

The immersive nighttime experience is created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, one of North America's leading producers of Chinese lantern festivals.

In addition to the glowing displays, guests can enjoy live local music each evening and a rotating lineup of food trucks, making it an easy option for a summer night out with the family.

Event Dates and Ticket Information

Wild Summer Lights runs:

• July 30 through Oct. 4, 2026
• Thursday through Sunday
• 6 to 10 p.m.

Tickets are:

• $18 for guests ages 13 and older
• $16 for children ages 3-12
• Free for children ages 2 and younger

Zoo members receive $3 off each ticket.

Tickets are available online through Mesker Park Zoo. Regular daytime zoo admission is not valid during Wild Summer Lights.

Because this is an evening lantern festival, some animal exhibits may not be accessible, and animal visibility may be limited during the event.

Enter to Win a Family Four-Pack

Want to see Wild Summer Lights for yourself?

Enter using the form below for your chance to win a Family Four-Pack of tickets to Mesker Park Zoo's Wild Summer Lights.

Whether you're seeing the lanterns for the first time or making a return visit, it's one of Evansville's most unique summer traditions and a pretty magical way to spend an evening.