*This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been updated. I would suggest stopping by local favorites like Fortezza Coffee, Cookie Cottage Cookies, or Pembroke Bakery to pick up a little something to enjoy while you admire the bright lights. Located in Franke Park right next to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fantasy of Lights brings holiday-themed scenes to life. The longstanding community tradition of Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium begins this Friday, Nov. 27. The Blue Jacket Fantasy of Lights is an annual festival taking place in downtown Fort Wayne, a city in northeastern Indiana. Along with our night at Fantasy of Lights, my husband and I have started our own little tradition of making our annual Fantasy of Lights trip a part of our very own night of lights. FORT WAYNE, Ind. The 26th season of the Fantasy of Lights is opening earlier this year on Nov. 13 at Franke Park. Along the 2-mile trail, you'll discover more than 110 larger-than-life displays with more than 270,000 LED lights. Last updated: October 2020. Looking to Visit Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Fort Wayne, IN? (Fort Wayne's NBC) - Beginning Sunday, June 14, the Fort Wayne's Children Zoo will reopen for the first time in 2020, but only to Zoo members. The zoo is collecting old lights so they can be recycled -- instead of scrapped at the landfill. (WPTA21) - While many events and festivals had to cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Fort Wayne holiday favorite plans to ramp up their Christmastime activities. We top it off by grabbing a pizza from Pint & Slice and venturing through local neighborhoods checking out some of the creative light displays before heading home for the evening. This drive-thru event is held at Franke Park in Fort Wayne, Ind. Two months after its scheduled opening date the Zoo is finally opening to member-only with timed tickets to control social distancing. We'll stop for a hot cup of cocoa, and bring along munchies to snack on as we take in the twinkling lights. Lights may be dropped off at the Guest Services Building weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Jan. 15. Along the 2-mile trail, you'll discover more than 110 larger-than-life displays with more than 270,000 LED lights. Fantasy of Lights to open early in 2020 Local News. Temperatures this morning were in the teens with wind chills in the single digits. This year one lucky person or family will be given the honor of flipping the big switch to kick off the 2020 Fantasy of Lights on Nov. 13! Ice Slide: Fly down on personal or innertubes built for two! October 12, 2020 12:20 pm Kayla Crandall Top Stories FORT WAYNE, Ind. Expect to see more than 35,000 lights, multiple inflatables, a music light display, and a walk through arches of lights where you can take pictures in front of the NEW Santa’s workshop and the gingerbread house. It is also the leading fundraiser for Blue Jacket. She also loves to read (if she ever has the time), write, bake, and explore her city! Admission is $10 for personal vehicles, $20 for commercial passenger vans, and $40 for buses and trolleys. Discover kangaroos, orangutans, sharks, tigers, and more on your family adventure. 904 S. Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802. There are many things to do in Fort Wayne, but if your time is limited, make t the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo a must do. You can find the Fantasy of Lights in Franke Park located at 3411 Sherman Blvd. Walk along lit pathways and through our popular 135-foot lighted tunnel – it’s a crowd favorite! Construction Update: Future Zoo Plans. She is actively involved with the groups Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI) and the Emerging Leaders Alliance (ELA), working to play an active role in shaping and telling Fort Wayne, and Northeast Indiana's, story. Get instant savings w/ 7 valid Fort Wayne Children's Zoo coupon codes & coupons in January 2021. Sale. News Tips: 260-483-8111 FORT WAYNE, Ind. Rome City, Indiana 11 contributions 8 helpful votes. It's not only about entertainment, but there are also free popcorn and cocoa, Santa & Mrs. Claus make appearances, plus there is a candy cane quiz and tons of holiday lights. Jim Anderson made the big announcement Tuesday. Each day during ZooLights, the Zoo will close at 3:00 p.m., and re-open at 4:00 p.m. for the event. FORT WAYNE, Ind. … The Wayne County Lightfest is magical four-mile stretch of Hines Park, displaying nearly 50 animated themed displays and more than 100,000 lights now until December 31, 2020 (closed December 25). Check out how you and your family can experience the Wayne County Lightfest! Jonathan Shelley is the news director at WPTA TV, which he joined in 2016 following nine years in a similar role in New Orleans and previous news management positions in Oklahoma City and Las Vegas. While the line does tend to flow pretty well, it's good to plan ahead a little. Stay in your vehicle, turn your radio to the synched music and enjoy the show. Be sure to j oin our email list for updates on next year's Boston Lights experience. Katie Robinson was born and raised in the Summit City, and has been an advocate for it her whole life. Last year, more than 100 pounds of lights were collected through the effort. The Official Destination Marketing Organization for Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana. (WPTA21) - Area residents looking to get rid of holiday lights that are past their prime are encouraged to drop them off at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo is operated by the non-profit Fort Wayne … Nov 27, 2020 - #1 Summer "Gotta-Do" Attraction in a contest sponsored by the Indiana Office of Tourism & Development. For a full list of holiday activities to pair with the Fantasy of Lights, view our HolidayFest information. My husband and I have started a little tradition of bringing holiday treats and drinks along with us when we venture out for Fantasy of Lights. He's one of only two people to ever work the job, having replaced the late founder and executive director, Earl Wells in 1994. ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod Meeting Case Study, 2021 Scottish Rite Council of Deliberation. ---- It is clean, well maintained, with an African Veldt, Australian Adventure, Indonesian Rainforest and much more of interest. Over 700,000 LED lights, new Kraken display, indoor areas closed, buy tickets in advance. Get 25% OFF w/ Fort Wayne Children's Zoo promo codes or coupons. If you don't want to sit in line with impatient kiddos or have other plans to attend to, plan a time that works for you. The Ellenwood Christmas home will be viewable from November 25-December 31st Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm and Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. According to officials, the zoo cares for more than 1,400 animals and participates in 63 cooperative species survival plans. For more information visit the Fantasy of Lights website. We will stay cold…, WPTA 21 (WPTA21) - Area residents looking to get rid of holiday lights that are past their prime are encouraged to drop them off at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. Thousands of people come each year to see more than 500,000 sparkling lights featuring sculptures of the zoo’s most popular animals: giant pandas, Asian elephants, gibbons, a sea lion, an octopus, a Komodo dragon, and more. The Fantasy of Lights is one of the many, magical, holiday activities and events you'll find around town, and it's one of my favorites. ZooLights at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., is a winter holiday event that is always a hit for the whole family. Whataburger Zoo Lights Dates: Nov. 20, 2020 – Jan 3, 2021. Christmas at the Zoo presented by Donatos and Teachers Credit Union Experience our beloved holiday tradition! Big changes are coming to the Fort Worth Zoo and things are getting wilder. Guests are welcome to return for ZooLights at 4:00 p.m., and will need to purchase separate tickets for the event. Located in Franke Park right next to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fantasy of Lights brings holiday-themed scenes to life. The Fantasy of Lights is just one of the MANY holiday-themed events and attractions in Fort Wayne. The zoo is collecting old lights so they can be recycled -- instead of scrapped at the landfill. (ADAMS) – Tuesday, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo will highlight World Snake Day.on July 16th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. 260-420-3266 | info@downtownfortwayne.com Take a spin on the Conservation Carousel (weather permitting) and then stop in to see the Jolly Old Elf at Santa’s Station. You'll see a wide range of lighted Christmas displays including old favorites like Santa and his elves and newer creations like the adorable penguins sliding down their icy slide. Enjoyable. Find more information about this attraction and other nearby Fort Wayne family attractions and hotels on Family Vacation Critic. It's become something we look forward to each year, and a great way to fit in even more of the great holiday sites around town! August 7, 2020 Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Event Category: Main. After graduating from Ball State University with a degree in Public Relations in May of 2013, Katie moved back and planted permanent roots in her hometown. Talk about a cold start to the weekend. … Featured Product: Giraffe with Lights Glass Ornament Nothing can be more unique than seeing Christmas lights at the Detroit Zoo! 3401 Butler Rd. Venue Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo 3411 Sherman Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46808 United States + Google Map ... *The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo reserves the right to modify or cancel the event due to weather or recommendation by government officials due to COVID-19. Experience the wonder of over 50 magnificent displays comprised of hundreds of beautifully crafted lanterns spanning Franklin Park Zoo's 72 acres. Get in line early so that you're one of the first groups of cars inside, or arrive towards the tail-end of the evening after the rush has died down. Thank you to everyone who attended Boston Lights 2020! Specialties: Take a walk on the wild side in search of lions, leopards, and zebras, then stop to hand-feed our herd of giraffes! FORT WAYNE, Ind. As someone who's added a trip to Fantasy of Lights to her list of holiday traditions, here are a couple of tips for making it even more magical! |, FWPD K9 hurt after tracking armed robbery suspect, Sunny and cold today, keeping an eye on winter weather early next week. Whataburger Zoo Lights is included with Standard Admission and is FREE for Passholders. December 29, 2020 12:23 pm Jonathan Shelley Top Stories FORT WAYNE, Ind. Expires:Dec 12, 2020 Click to Save for $15. If you're from Fort Wayne you know that we really do the holiday season right, and if you're not, well you are in for a treat! There are still two sea lions at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. This year one lucky person or family will be given the honor of flipping the big switch to kick off the 2020 Fantasy of Lights on Nov. 13! With over 127 larger-than-life displays and 300,000 LED lights, the experience is better than ever! FORT WAYNE, Ind. What better way to roll through a winter wonderland than with some cozy concoctions? Something about enjoying a hot drink with a tasty treat makes enjoying the Fantasy of Lights that much better! (WANE) — Traffic lights are back on along Lima Road after a crash near Interstate 69, dispatchers say. Fort Wayne, IN 46808 MAKE YOUR ZOO VISIT AN ADVENTURE. VIEW HOURS . Holiday Adventure Awaits in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They were made specifically for ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo by Lightasmic of Bakersfield, CA. For 2020, the event runs Nov. 13 through Dec. 31. Zoolights 2020 kicks off Friday! Trees and buildings are illuminated along with 265 sculptures throughout the front half of the zoo. There's just something about the holiday season that, even as an adult, makes me feel excited beyond belief to the point that my husband often compares me to a 6-year-old little girl. Not overwhelming and exhausting but so interesting with details to let you get to know the animals and insects. Hours are as follows: Sunday-Thursday 6pm-9pm and Friday-Saturday 6pm-10pm. 2:56 pm Emilia Miles Coronavirus, News, Top Stories FORT WAYNE, Ind. WIN A CHANCE TO TURN ON THE FANTASY OF LIGHTS!!!! ☑️ In the comments share with us your favorite memory of Fantasy of Lights or what you are most excited about for the 2020 Fantasy of Lights Tickets Of The Zoo For Adults With 19 To 61 Years Old For $15. A former Visit Fort Wayner, Katie currently works for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority as Marketing Specialist. Fact F wrote a review Oct 2020. or newsroom@wpta21.com, All content © 2000 - 2021, WPTA Television, Inc. All rights reserved. WIN A CHANCE TO TURN ON THE FANTASY OF LIGHTS!!!! Dating back to 1967, the Indianapolis Zoo was the first zoo in the nation to hold a holiday lights event. When travelling to Fort Wayne, my hometown, I make sure to visit the zoo. (Fort Wayne's NBC) -- The man who's been in charge of the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo for 25 years says he's retiring when the 2020 season wraps up. Year after year, Christmas at the Zoo presented by … Download Whataburger Zoo Lights Map. This website stores cookies on your computer. Once the sun goes down, the line to get into the Fantasy of Lights grows to great lengths, often winding down the road. To limit the number of guests inside the zoo at any given time, visitors will purchase tickets with a specific entrance time. Cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and they allow us to remember you. Benefits & Membership Packages Support Our Mission ... November 24, 2020. Discover what makes Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo one of Indiana’s top destinations for family fun. We'll start off at Franke Park, and then peruse the light displays in downtown Fort Wayne including the iconic Santa and his Reindeer on the PNC building. This family fun and educational event will include a variety of educational stations, where guests of all ages can learn about the snakes that live at the zoo. Fort Wayne 46808. Posted: Oct 12, 2020 / 01:44 PM EDT / Updated: Oct 12, 2020 / 08:15 PM EDT. Each year the zoo hosts the Wild Lights event that has over 5 million LED lights! The Fantasy of Lights opens on Friday, November 13 and runs through December 31. With kid-friendly features… In 2017, the Fort Worth Zoo announced A Wilder Vision, a $100-million capital campaign that includes 10 acres of new exhibit space, renovated habitats, special events space, multiple dining areas and most importantly, new ways to observe, interact with and learn about several species. $3: Carousel: Indoor African Animal Carousel: $2: Train: Holiday Railway (weekends only): $2: Arctic Blast: Snow ball launcher (3 blasts per ticket): $3 Each new exhibit at the Fort Wayne zoo is done with great thought. In her spare time, you can find Katie spending time with her little family made up of her husband, Joe, daughter, Honora, and their dog, Gidget. and transforms the local park into a spectacular winter wonderland. ☑️ In the comments share with us your favorite memory of Fantasy of Lights or what you are most excited about for the 2020 Fantasy of Lights Plan your dinner before venturing out; grab a bite before or after enjoying the lights, but don't be surprised when the wait is a little longer than you anticipated. The best part is you don't have to brave any winter weather elements outside to enjoy it! Guests will be asked to exit when the Zoo closes at 3:00 p.m. so staff can fully clean and prep for the evening event. The time between Thanksgiving and New Years has long been my absolute favorite time of year, and as I type this I am becoming giddy with anticipation over the impending holiday season. About Boston Lights. Read More October 29, 2020. 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