the spectacular wild lights at
riverbanks zoo in columbia
Guest post from Krysten Dean of The Dean Team Adventures. Find all their adventures and advice for Myrtle Beach and beyond on their YouTube Channel
While there are so many Christmas light displays to choose from in the Myrtle Beach area, we highly recommend making the trip to Columbia for a brand-new experience: Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens. This breathtaking and magical event is open through January 14, 2024, so it’s also perfect for families looking for something fun to do after the holidays.
Wild lights facts
EVENT DETAILS | Wild Lights glows from 5–9pm on select nights Nov 17–Jan 14. Advance registration is required and tickets will sell out! Prices vary by date. Adult tickets range from $19.99–24.99 and children 2–12 from $14.99–19.99 (children under 2 are free). Santa will be there meeting families through Dec 23.
BRAND NEW EVENT | For 35 years, Riverbanks hosted Lights at Riverbanks– but this year, they started an all-new tradition: Wild Lights, which aims to shine a light on the beauty of nature along with the zoo’s mission of conservation.
NOT YOUR AVERAGE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS | There are nearly 60 larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature. You’ll see many of the zoo animals you know and love along with some extinct creatures like dinosaurs and wooly mammoths– and even an ice dragon – along with beautiful flowers and plants that set the scene.
PLANNING FOR FOOD | Tuskers Restaurant is open to grab pizza, sandwiches, chicken tenders, and salads. Wild Burger is open on select nights. Many quick service locations serve cinnamon sugar pretzels, funnel cakes, s’mores packs (four s’mores for $14), hot chocolate, ice cream, and other snacks.
WHAT COSTS EXTRA | The Spots & Stripes Railroad and Endangered Species Carousel are $2 per person.
HOW LONG TO PLAN FOR | We would budget at least 2-3 hours, but you may be there for the whole four hours if you want to eat or wait in line to meet Santa, ride the train, or hop on the carousel.
top tips
BYOL (BRING YOUR OWN LIGHTS) | We brought our own light-up necklaces and headbands purchased at the dollar store, which made the event even more festive and fun for the kids.
GO LEFT | The event guide recommends that visitors start by turning left when you enter the zoo, and it definitely helps with the general flow if everyone abides by that.
YOU WON’T SEE MANY (REAL) ANIMALS | While you may see some night owls during the event, most of the zoo’s residents are off-exhibit to catch some Z’s. The Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center and Birdhouse aren’t open to the public. However, not everyone is asleep! The animals in Conservation Outpost were super active, and we were even lucky enough to hear a lion roar into the night.
TAKE YOUR TIME | One of the coolest parts of the lights is that many of the lanterns move, from salamanders flicking their tails to crocodiles snapping their jaws. Near the train, there’s a brilliant blue 11-foot tall peacock that fans its feathers every few minutes. We would have totally missed that magical moment if we weren’t taking our time.
TOP SPOTS FOR KIDS | There’s fun photo opps throughout the zoo and nightly snow fall in a few locations. The show-stopping Lingzhi tree and massive crab in the center of the zoo blow smoke bubbles that the kids will love popping. There are moonlight swings and a light-up stepping board kids will want to try. And don’t miss the massive crocodile and dinosaur heads you can walk through near the Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center.