UPDATE (November 18, 2025):
The Holiday season is now twice as bright as the Fort Wayne Zoo and Blue Jacket present Fort Wayne Light Fest. Within Fort Wayne Light Fest, guests can drive through the three-mile stretch of the beloved Fantasy of Lights and, brand new this year, enjoy Wild Lights at the Fort Wayne Zoo. Starting this weekend, you can see it for yourself.
The following was released:
A new family tradition, Wild Lights at the Fort Wayne Zoo begins in Santa’s Cottage with the opportunity to meet Santa himself. Guests can then journey into the Zoo and walk among a dazzling display of nearly one million lights, attend a dance party and nightly tree-lighting hosted by Santa’s elves, toast s’mores, ride the Evergreen Express, decorate sugar cookies with festive favorites, and even get nose-to-nose with Santa’s reindeer! Indiana Family Farm, Central Zoo, Coastal Cove, Red Panda Ridge, and parts of Australian Adventure will be open for guests to walkabout.
Wild Lights will be open on select dates, beginning Friday, November 28, through Sunday, January 4, 2026.
• Discount rates are $8 for Fort Wayne Zoo Members and $10 for non-members
• Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights is offering a 10% discount on tickets through this time.
“We are excited to partner with Blue Jacket to make the Fort Wayne holiday season twice as bright while also furthering the mission of two community non-profits,” Explains Rick Schuiteman, Fort Wayne Zoo Director & CEO. “The heart of Fort Wayne Light Fest is to create an inclusive, joyful holiday experience that strengthens families and inspires people to care.”
“This is truly an all-encompassing experience for everyone: the family-tradition itself, Fantasy of Lights, a Christmas Village with a variety of vendors, and the brand-new Wild Lights!” States Tony Hudson, CEO of Blue Jacket. “This collaboration perfectly reflects our shared commitment towards creating a meaningful experience for families across our city.”
For tickets and more, click HERE
ORIGINAL STORY:
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – An exciting new partnership is bringing a new holiday event to the area.
Blue Jacket and the Fort Wayne Zoo are teaming up for Fort Wayne Light Fest with millions of lights, hundreds of displays, and, of course, Santa’s Workshop. The official schedule of events will be released next month.
The following was released:
The Holiday season is now twice as bright as Blue Jacket and the Fort Wayne Zoo present Fort Wayne Light Fest! Guests can drive through the three-mile stretch of the treasured Fantasy of Lights and brand new this year, enjoy walking the Wild Lights at the Fort Wayne Zoo.
The Fort Wayne Light Fest will be blending new traditions with beloved classics, and exciting changes that promise continued growth for this cherished holiday event. This year’s production will include over 4 million LED lights in 800 display pieces that made up 200 scenes in the nearly three-mile route within the Fantasy of Lights in Franke Park and nearly one million lights within the Fort Wayne Zoo, starting with Santa’s Workshop where Santa himself will be available to guests of both events. Fantasy of Lights will also continue its many traditions.
Exclusive early-bird discounts are available starting today until November 9, 2025. Discount rates for Wild Lights are $8 for Fort Wayne Zoo Members and $10 for non-members and the Fantasy of Lights is offering a 10% discount on tickets through this time.
In addition to early bird tickets on fwlightfest.org, tickets for Fantasy of Lights can still be purchased on the free mobile app designed by Reusser Design, which allows patrons to buy tickets, donate tickets to others, check an interactive map, monitor traffic wait times, and receive event announcements. The app will continue to evolve to improve customer experience.
The schedule of events for this year’s Fantasy of Lights and more exciting news will be released in October.
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