You’ve got a few more chances left to attend Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo. More than a million lights decorate the zoo, including a wall of animated lights set to holiday music. Visit Santa, enjoy a hot chocolate or a sweet treat at Mrs. C’s Sweets, and pay a visit to one of the zoo’s animal mascots.

Wild Lights runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and again after Christmas from Dec. 26-29. Admission for Akron Zoo members is $8 to $11 and $11 to $18 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but you’ll save money if you buy them online ahead of time.

The Grinch winds up to throw a snowball.
A person portraying the Grinch winds up to throw a snowball during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The entrance of the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights.
The entrance of the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A tree frog light display is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A flamingo light display at the Akron Zoo during the Wild Lights.
A flamingo light display at the Akron Zoo during the Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display depicting a flamingo iduring the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
A light display depicting a flamingo iduring the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The entrance of the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights.
The entrance of the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Christmas lights illuminate a path at the Akron Zoo during the Wild Lights event.
Christmas lights illuminate a path at the Akron Zoo during the Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Visitors stand in front of the bald eagle’s enclosure during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
Visitors stand in front of the bald eagle’s enclosure during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Garland, Christmas lights and a red bow decorate the bald eagle enclosure at the Akron Zoo.
Garland, Christmas lights and a red bow decorate the bald eagle enclosure at the Akron Zoo during the Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Kelly Fleming pulls a wagon while her husband, Nick Fleming, plays with their nephew and niece.
Kelly Fleming pulls a wagon while her husband, Nick Fleming, plays with their nephew and niece, Aiden Frimel, 5, (center left) and Avery Frimel, 2, (center right) during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Christmas lights drape across a row of trees at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
Christmas lights drape across a row of trees at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A light display is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Ally Brett, 6, Clarence Esterly, 4, and Landon Brett, 3, laugh as they run along the glass with the lion at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
(From left) Ally Brett, 6, Clarence Esterly, 4, and Landon Brett, 3, laugh as they run along the glass with the lion at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
(From left) Ally Brett, 6, Clarence Esterly, 4, and Landon Brett, 3, laugh as they run along the glass with the lion at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
(From left) Ally Brett, 6, Clarence Esterly, 4, and Landon Brett, 3, laugh as they run along the glass with the lion at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A view of various light displays at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A view of various light displays at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display reads, “Akron Zoo,” during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A light display reads, “Akron Zoo,” during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A light display is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Ellie Brennan smiles as she twirls with Phoebe Metz on her back.
Ellie Brennan smiles as she twirls with Phoebe Metz on her back as they walk through a tunnel of lights at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display resembling a fox is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event.
A light display resembling a fox is seen at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Visitors walk the paths at the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights.
Visitors walk the paths at the Akron Zoo during Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A child wears a necklace of Christmas lights.
A child wears a light up necklace while visiting the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Josiah Flowers, of Green, (left) and Evie McGowan, of Canton, hold hands near a fire to warm up.
Josiah Flowers, of Green, (left) and Evie McGowan, of Canton, hold hands near a fire to warm up while attending the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Connor Hostetler (right) and Brooki Terranova (right) stand for a photo with the Grinch.
Connor Hostetler (right) and Brooki Terranova (right) stand for a photo with the Grinch during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Olivia Thorley takes a selfie with her mom, Nicole Thorley, and brother, Keaton Thorley, together with the Grinch.
Olivia Thorley takes a selfie with her mom, Nicole Thorley, and brother, Keaton Thorley, together with the Grinch at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The river otter exhibit is decorated with garland, Christmas lights and red bows during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
The river otter exhibit is decorated with garland, Christmas lights and red bows during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The tiger is in its den.
The tiger is in its den during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A child drinks a hot beverage while walking around the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
A child drinks a hot beverage while walking around the Akron Zoo Wild Lights with an adult Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
A light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
The light display across from the penguin enclosure.
The light display across from the penguin enclosure at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A couple holds hands and walks along a zoo path.
A couple holds hands and walks along a zoo path during the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A flamingo light display.
A flamingo light display at Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
Families and friends visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A bat light display.
A bat light display at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights event Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Joan (right) holds hands with her grandson, Kayce, as they visit the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
Two tree frog light displays illuminate a path at Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display resembling panda bears at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.
A light display resembling panda bears at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)
A light display or ornaments along a path at Akron Zoo Wild Lights Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, in Akron. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

Multimedia reporter/producer (she/her)
Kassi Filkins strives to be an active part of whatever community she finds herself in and joins Signal Akron in its mission to bring accessible and community-focused news to all Akronites.

Kassi was born and raised in Central Ohio and is a photojournalism graduate of Kent State University. She was a staff member at the Southeast Missourian and the Hartford Courant before working in non-profit communications.

Kassi lives in Highland Square and enjoys local coffee shops, walking along trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and hanging out with her dogs, cat and husband.