Right next to Salt Lake City’s Emigration Canyon, Hogle Zoo has been a cherished place for families since its opening in 1931. The zoo spans 42 acres and is home to over 800 animals of 139 species. One special part about the zoo is the Aline W. Skaggs Wild Utah exhibit, which showcases native species like cougars and bighorn sheep while promoting conservation education. Hogle Zoo is also an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, as they are dedicated to wildlife conservation and education.
If you enjoy going to the Hogle Zoo, chances are you’ve gone for the giraffes or the polar bears, or maybe just because it’s one of those spots that makes you feel like a kid again. From now until May 26, if you’re heading there after dark, specifically between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., you’ll get the chance to experience ZooLuminate, the zoo’s after-hours LED-lit exhibition of animal art pieces that doesn’t really feel like a zoo at all.
You might have heard about ZooLights, which is a similar exhibition only held in December during the holiday season. ZooLuminate is pretty similar, but in the springtime, when the weather is a little bit warmer and it’s easier to walk around without freezing.
Eighty glowing animal sculptures are scattered across the entire zoo. There are four themed exhibits: Dazzling Savanna, Neon Jungle, Alpine Forest and Glowing Garden. Each of these exhibits represents a different biome of animals. Some of the real animals might be out, depending on the hour and the weather, probably. However, the ZooLuminate experience is more about walking by a 15-foot-tall giant LED lion.
If you want to experience ZooLuminate without kids running around, ZooBrew: Nocturnal Neon is the perfect time to go. On Wednesday, May 21, the zoo goes 21+ for one night only. There will be DJs, food and drinks.
You can also experience the Eccles Express and the Conservation Carousel while you are there, but you will have to pay an extra three dollars. Their food is good, typical amusement park comfort food like soft pretzels and crepes. Depending on how big your group is, Hogle Zoo recommends that you have at least an hour and a half to experience ZooLuminate.
ZooLuminate is a ticketed event. It is not included with a regular daytime zoo pass, but it’s pretty reasonably priced: about $25 for adults, $20 for kids, and free if a kid is under three. If you’re a zoo member, you get a four dollar discount. If you want to experience both the zoo and ZooLuminate, you will have to exit the zoo at 6 p.m. and re-enter with ZooLuminate admission at 6:30 p.m. Parking is free, which always feels like a win in Salt Lake, and lines tend to move fast even on weekends.
Tickets are available online through Hogle Zoo’s website, but you can also buy them at the ticketing booth. Since the event runs through late May, you have just over a month to go and visit.
