WildLights at the Living Desert

Tue Nov 25, 2025 - Tue Dec 30, 2025
- see all dates
Repeating every week — Fridays, and Saturdays through December 30, 2025.
Also on November 26, 2025, December 11, 2025, December 21, 2025, December 22, 2025, December 23, 2025, December 24, 2025, December 28, 2025, December 29, 2025, December 30, 2025.
6:00pm to 9:00pm PT
Age: All
Price: General: $22- $25; Child (ages 3-12)$18 -$20; Children under 3 are free
Location:
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
47900 Portola Ave. , Palm Desert, CA, 92260
Invite a friend Website

The nights - and the lights - are wild at the Living Desert.

WildLights creates a magical winter wonderland to explore, complete with 3 million twinkling lights, dazzling light displays, and holiday fun.

WildLights is a self-guided experience. The dazzling pathways take guests on an illuminated journey around the Zoo with awe-inspiring sights and festive photo opportunities.Keep an eye out: some of the animals in the African Safari section, such as the rhino and African painted dogs, may come out at night to enjoy the lights as well. 

The G-scale model trains, with more than 3,300 feet of track, are decked out for the holidays. Guests can indulge at the s'mores station, and take a photo with Santa Claus (through December 24) or the Grinch (December 26 - 30).

Tickets are for specified dates and times. Ticket bundles available pairing daytime zoo tickets with nighttime Wildlights tickets; ($57 for adults, $43 for kids). 

While the Zoo strives to provide a safe and friendly environment that visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy, please note that WildLights has amplified music and features displays with flashing lights.

WildLights is an all-weather event.

** Activity dates/times are subject to change. Please click through to the activity website to verify.