Back again: China Lights at Cologne Zoo

The China Light Festival from December 13 to February 2 at Cologne Zoo 

77 light installations – more than 11,000 LED lights and 17,000 meters of light chains – spread across 20 hectares of zoo grounds: the China Lights are back at the Rhine. It is the fifth edition of the illumination spectacle for the whole family. The previous four editions attracted around 350,000 visitors. With the China Lights, the zoo is kicking off its anniversary year – in 2025, it will celebrate its 165th anniversary. On this occasion, the China Lights creators will showcase some of the most popular figures from the past five years, as well as many new light installations with atmospherically illuminated animal and fantasy figures in an Asian style – spread throughout the zoo.

The Best of the Best – and Many New Features

The China Lights 2024/25 are divided into several new themed areas: Following the welcome area are the specials "Fascinating Marine Worlds" and "Treasures of Nature." The China Lights creators have also integrated figures into the course that reference the zoo's 165-year history in 2025. "In addition to the best figures from the past five years, there are also many new light installations to discover. This is a course that Cologne has never seen before," said Christopher Landsberg, CEO of Cologne Zoo. "We are very much looking forward to the start of this event, which is firmly anchored in the annual calendar for many people in the Rhineland."

Construction work begins in November. The lighting designers will set up a total of 77 lighting formations in the zoo, composed of around 1,400 individual figures. Around 11,000 LEDs will be used for this. The largest figures are the 40-meter-long dragon on the zoo meadow at the main entrance and the 35-meter-long and 10-meter-high Noah's Ark with animals from all over the world. It symbolizes the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Moon Swing and Mirror Course – Interactive Fun for Young & Old

This year's interactive figures are audience magnets – this year there are nine participation stations for young and old. For example, China Lights guests can swing into the Cologne evening sky on moon swings, use their own muscle power to let artificial mist rise from a fantasy plant, or light up the seven-meter-long and nearly three-meter-high underwater tunnel. Selfies can be taken at various photo spots, such as illuminated lions, stags, or the glowing double of Hennes IX.

The light course with eco-friendly LED lights extends throughout the zoo grounds. Culinary offerings from the zoo's gastronomy and photo point actions from the Zoo Shop round out the event for the whole family.

The festival begins on December 13, 2024, and ends on February 2, 2025.

The course and its highlights in detail:

The light course begins in front of the zoo gates. A giant glowing dragon in blue, red, and yellow greets visitors at the entrance meadow. The actual tour starts by passing through the six-meter-high and 20-meter-long entrance gate with majestically illuminated stags. Visitors walk through a 50-meter-long corridor of illuminated giant leaves and stroll past glowing flamingos and bears. The XXL tiger and lion families are also a real eye-catcher. The five mini-lions and tigers born at the zoo in 2024 will also be featured as figures.

Fascinating Marine Worlds

Immediately afterward, visitors enter the "Marine Worlds" area. Welcome to the mega swordfish and giant octopus. Other highlights include the spectacular seagrass alley, where visitors pass clownfish and starfish, and the multicolored jellyfish and harlequin shrimp installations.

Treasures of Nature

Following the marine animals, the "Treasures of Nature" theme block focuses on land and air creatures. At the center is an oversized Noah's Ark with animals from all continents. It represents the abundance of animal worlds in Cologne Zoo – and the many conservation projects that can be funded in part by the proceeds from China Lights. Motto: Beauty meets purpose! Guests will see illuminated swans reflected in the zoo ponds, oversized orangutan and panda families, glowing swarms of butterflies, or the 20-meter-long polar bear ensemble. A four-meter-high tiger head bares its teeth on the terrace of the zoo restaurant.

165 Years of Cologne Zoo

The fact that Cologne Zoo will celebrate its 165th anniversary in 2025 is marked by unique illuminated figures related to the zoo's history. From the terrace of the "Villa Bodinus," historical animal keepers, ticket collectors, as well as the zoo's founder and first director, wave at visitors. Any resemblance to living persons is, of course, purely coincidental. The old train, which generations of children once climbed, will also be part of the zoo as a luminous exhibit from mid-December 2024 to early February 2025.

Buy tickets online here