IllumiNights Has All the Light Moves

Full disclosure, I am a sucker for lights – fireworks, holiday lights, string lights over a patio – I’m all in. So, when the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens announced they would be opening IllumiNights Summer Spectacle on Fridays this summer, I felt like a kid again.

I have been to ZOOLights multiple times and was expecting something very similar. I was wrong. IllumiNights is truly a whole new experience and I loved it! It was so nice to arrive before sunset and see the animals still out.

IllumiNights Jacksonville

Enjoy Jacksonville Zoo at Sunset and by Night

I saw a family of lemurs exploring the tree in the African Forest, a jaguar regally watching over his enclosure, the Komodo dragon scary as ever with his darting tongue, but what I really appreciated was that IllumiNights highlighted the areas of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens that I don’t normally pay much attention to.

The bamboo pathway that leads to the Asian Bamboo Gardens and the Riverview Gardens was probably my favorite part of IllumiNights. Watching color-changing lights projected on the bamboo, I stood there for what I’m sure my husband would describe as way too long, trying to capture the changes in photos and videos. It was a little mesmerizing for me! (photo above)

Come along with me as I describe the rest of our magical evening at IllumiNights.

Sunset Views at Riverview Gardens

We then headed to the Riverview Gardens. The gardens are adorned with lighted insect installations. Dragonflies, butterflies and of course, bumble bees can be found throughout, all set next to the backdrop of the Trout River. Visitors stopped along the water or found a spot on the grass just to enjoy the sunset views.

Make sure to snap a photo on the neon butterfly wall!

Evening in Asian Bamboo Gardens

We next explored the Asian Bamboo Gardens which really are a beautiful spot to walk through. The bamboo gardens featured a large variety of light spectacles, including gorgeous cherry blossom tree lights.

As we came back across the Trout River Plaza, families were enjoying live entertainment, dancing and interacting with the stilt-walkers.

IllumiNights Activities on the Great Lawn

We wandered into the Great Lawn, which was bustling with activity. Neon light animals line the square.

There were tons of performances, DJs and other family fun there and a spot to grab a bite to eat and a drink with picnic tables set up for families.

The Watering Hole was also open, a great place to grab a local beer overlooking the Trout River.

Jacksonville Zoo by Night

As we wandered back toward the entrance and the sky turned fully dark, I could now see all the additional lights in the trees. There was colorful up lighting placed throughout the trees and gardens, and fun photo ops with color changing seats. Inside the Play Park and Splash Ground area, a “fobble” machine spouted bubbles filled with fog that seemed to almost “smoke” when you popped them with your hand. At the Savanna Bloom Gardens (the spot where the giraffe overlook is) a light installation displayed orange and blue lights, which represented Water VS Fire. It was beautiful and made me feel like a kid again, reminding me of when the little things like light-up wands would fascinate me for hours. The cherry on top was the fire spinners performing in this area!

IllumiNight Schedule

IllumiNights Summer Spectacle runs every Friday night through August 27. Book tickets in advance at https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/IllumiNights. It’s great for adults, as well as families. I plan to visit again before the summer ends.

The Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens is a wonderful attraction to visit, I always leave with a smile on my face.

Are you an animal or wildlife lover? To read about other exciting animal attractions around Jax, head here.

Katie

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Katie

Local Expert- Only In Jax