Riverbanks Zoo’s Holiday Lights and Wildlife Extravaganza: A South Carolina Tradition

COLUMBIA, S.C. — This holiday season, South Carolina’s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden transforms into a mesmerizing winter wonderland, with over a million twinkling lights illuminating the grounds. Visitors are invited to stroll through this dazzling display, where they may even catch a glimpse of some of the zoo’s unique animal residents. The lineup includes African lions, Amur tigers, California sea lions, grizzly bears, Hoffman’s two-toed sloths, koalas, red kangaroos, and reticulated giraffes. Bird lovers can look forward to seeing the colorful array of species such as American flamingos, Bali mynas, blue-crowned laughingthrushes, coconut lorikeets, king penguins, king vultures, laughing kookaburras, and the striking toco toucan.

Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Running on select nights through the end of December, this holiday lights event also features a 30-foot animated LED Christmas tree that tells stories, Santa’s Village for kids, the Candy Cane Carousel, and the North Pole Express train, which fills the night with festive carols.

The magic doesn’t end with lights and animals; Riverbanks Zoo also offers visitors an opportunity to explore its beautiful garden spaces:

Waterfall Junction: A 3-acre children’s garden complete with a dino dig, giant tree houses, and a splash zone.
Asian Garden: A lush, serene space created with the support of Ikebana Chapter 182.
Bog Garden: Located at the garden gate, this area welcomes visitors with a waterfall surrounded by plants that thrive in wet environments.
Collection Garden: Showcasing over 100 species of Crinum lilies, also known as milk and wine lilies.
Dry Garden: This garden greets visitors with drought-tolerant plants and river rocks.
Old Rose Garden: One of the largest collections of Noisette roses, cherished for their fragrance and historical connection to South Carolina.
Shade Garden: Featuring shade-loving plants and accessible via the Treetops Bridge.
Walled Garden: Riverbanks’ premier 34,000-square-foot exhibit of seasonal and themed gardens.

The Riverbanks Zoo holiday lights event runs through the last Friday of the year, making it the perfect addition to any holiday itinerary. Tickets are available on the Riverbanks Zoo website—don’t miss out on this festive mix of lights, nature, and holiday cheer right in the heart of South Carolina.

Select Nights November 15 – January 12 | 5:00 – 9:00_PM

Come experience the magic of Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden!

Stroll through the Zoo and discover over 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays inspired by nature. This interactive event showcases stunning illuminations sure to dazzle guests of all ages. Enjoy nightly snowfall, fun activities, photo ops and visits with Santa (through December 23).

Don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Buy tickets here.

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