Pack up the family and head two hours north. Fort Wayne’s Glo Wild is the spring evening adventure your kids will be talking about all season.
Running on select evenings from March 5 through May 31, Glo Wild transforms the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo into a glowing nighttime wonderland. Towering 3D lantern sculptures, a mile-long illuminated trail and larger-than-life animal displays turn a familiar family destination into something completely new after dark.
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A Zoo You’ve Never Seen Before
Step through the gates at dusk and the zoo becomes an entirely different place. Forget daytime animal viewing. Glo Wild invites you to wander through a vibrant, glowing landscape filled with giant illuminated animals, colorful themed scenes and intricate lantern designs that really pop once the sun goes down.
The one-mile trail winds through the zoo’s themed areas, making it feel like walking through a storybook made entirely of light. Plan on one to two hours to take it all in and soak up every photo-worthy moment along the way.
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What Kids Will Love
The oversized lantern sculptures and glowing pathways make this feel like a true nighttime adventure, not just a walk through a dark zoo. Kids will be wowed by giant illuminated animal sculptures that tower overhead, brightly colored lantern landscapes at every turn and fun photo spots scattered throughout the trail.
Animal viewing is limited during the event, but indoor exhibits like the Aquarium and Stingray Bay stay open so you can squeeze in a little wildlife viewing alongside the lantern experience.
Food, Rides and More
Arrive early and make a full evening of it. Hop on the zoo train before the lanterns really come alive at dusk, and grab dinner or snacks from the food and refreshment stands open throughout the event. The cool spring air makes for a comfortable night out, which is a nice bonus for a spring activity.
Plan Your Visit
Glo Wild is a special ticketed event, so grab your tickets online before you go. Some evenings sell out, and you won’t want to make the drive only to find it’s full.
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Dates: Select evenings, March 5 through May 31
Hours: Entry begins around 7:30 p.m. in March and April, with later start times in May as daylight stretches longer.
Good to know:
- The lantern trail is about 1 mile long
- Plan 1 to 2 hours to see everything
- The event runs rain or shine
- Parking is free
The Perfect Spring Road Trip from Indy
Fort Wayne sits just about two hours from Indianapolis, close enough for an evening out and easy enough for a weekend trip. Pair Glo Wild with dinner in downtown Fort Wayne or spend the afternoon at the zoo before coming back for the lantern festival after dark.
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If your family loves holiday light displays, think of Glo Wild as the spring version of that magic: glowing animals, colorful lantern landscapes and an entire zoo illuminated under the night sky.
It just might become your new spring tradition.
Get tickets and learn more at fwzoo.com/glowild.
