Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights attraction
Detroit Zoo Senior Director of Guest Experience Emily O’Hara on the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights attraction
Royal Oak — Twinkling, flashing, gleaming and dancing — the Detroit Zoo’s annual Wild Lights attraction features a dizzying array of lighting displays of all sorts, but it’s a huge undertaking.
The zoo’s staff brings the magic to life with luminous, larger-than-life animals, an interactive talking tree and everything in between.
It’s a bit like decorating one’s own home for Christmas, said Detroit Zoo Senior Director of Guest Experience Emily O’Hara — just on a massive scale, as the zoo provided behind-the-scene access this week to their winter wonderland.
“We started counting all the lights at one point,” O’Hara said, “but you get over a million, then over 2 million and where does it stop? So, we just say millions of lights.”
This year’s display includes 676 trees wrapped with lights; more than 500 lighted “sculptures” of plants, animals and other objects; and holiday-specific items such as heating stations and a warming lodge. They all had to be set up by Wild Lights’ opening night, which this year was Nov. 23.
While the team must work swiftly, they must also work carefully. If there are too many lights on one side of a tree, for instance, they will be instructed to remove them and start over.
“There is a meticulous nature to it,” O’Hara said. “It isn’t just throwing lights and hoping they stick. We want everything to be the best product we can put out there for the guests.”
The months of hard work were evident to Phil and Carolyn Durst of West Branch, who were in Metro Detroit visiting family on Friday when they decided to check out the lights.
“We had no idea what to expect, but this is really amazing,” Phil said. “They did a great job.”
“They thought of everything, every animal you could think of,” Carolyn added.
Wild Lights continues at the zoo through Jan. 5. After that, the staff will begin tearing down the displays — carefully, so as not to tangle the thousands of strands.
Virtually all of the lights and holiday items are removed once the season is over, although some, like the large globe that can display video images, are often repositioned and repurposed for other zoo events throughout the year.
Where do the rest go during the offseason? Many are housed in the sizable storage area near the middle of the zoo, which includes eight shipping containers and a large shed. O’Hara said another 12 off-site shipping containers are used. And more lights yet get stuffed into any closets that might be available elsewhere at the zoo.
O’Hara said the staff works year-round to ensure visitors get a new experience each year. With Wild Lights entertaining families for more than a decade now, that means planning begins in January.
The staff works throughout the year to repair and repurpose aging items while the administration orders new pieces. The trend over the past few years has been on “interactive items” like a colorful see-saw and swings that kids can play on, or the talking Christmas tree that implores passersby to make a holiday wish.
Installation usually begins in late July and actually continues right up until Wild Lights opens for the season around Thanksgiving.
Once the lights are strung and the attractions in place, the work isn’t over yet. Rain and snow will occasionally cause a strand of lights to burn out. But more common are issues caused by native wildlife, zoo officials said.
“Anyone who has tried to string up lights at their own home may have encountered how squirrels find them a delicacy,” O’Hara said with a chuckle.
When items need to be tested or programmed, they’re taken to the backstage area of the Ford Education Center’s 4D theater, not only because that’s one of the largest indoor spaces at the zoo, but with the lights off, it’s dark enough to mimic the night sky outside.
“The advantage back here is we actually have a truss we can raise and lower, so it makes it much easier to reach our stuff and work on it,” said Lauri Besler-Kroll, a member of the zoo’s utility department.
During the behind-the-scenes tour for The Detroit News, team members were testing the light curtain that will be used for the special “Zoo Year’s Eve” countdown. At 8 p.m. on Dec. 31, the curtain will display an animal-themed New Year’s countdown, giving little ones who may not make it to midnight a chance to ring in 2025.
Wild Lights has become a family tradition for the family of Mike Newton of South Lyon. The dancing sticks stood out to daughter Kaylin, 5, while the rainbow-color trees were a favorite for Abigail, 3.
“They’ve been coming since they were under 1,” said Mike. “Always a good time.”
mreinhart@detroitnews.com
What: Wild Lights Presented by Corewell Health Children’s is the Detroit Zoo’s seasonal attraction filled with animal-themed light sculptures and other holiday fun.
When: Remaining dates are Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26-31, as well as Jan. 2-5. The event opens at 5 p.m. each evening. Tickets are available for entry every half-hour. Sales stop an hour before Wild Lights closes each night. The event closes at 10:30 p.m. through Dec. 28 (except Dec. 26) and at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 29 through Jan. 5.
Cost: Online general admission ticket prices vary by date and time slot, and range from $17-$25 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the gate (unless the zoo reaches capacity for a given time slot) for $26. Groups of 20 or more can buy tickets for $15-$23 per person. Packages are also available for daytime admission to the zoo, plus Wild Lights in the evening ($38); the “Picnic Package,” which includes an unlimited food buffet ($50 online, $55 at the gate); and the “Ultimate VIP Package,” which includes food and drink, plus a carousel ride and ticket to a screening at the 4D theater ($70 online, $75 at the gate).
Online tickets: dzoo.org/wildlights
Where: Detroit Zoo, 8450 W. 10 Mile, Royal Oak
Detroit’s dining scene just got even more flavorful with the opening of Sunda New Asian, bringing modern Southeast Asian cuisine to the city.
Restaurant owner Billy Dec joins the show to share what guests can expect from the new hotspot, from bold dishes and incredible cocktails to an energetic atmosphere.
Watch the video above to see what’s cooking up at Sunda New Asian.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Detroit Lions podcast includes Purple Insider Matthew Coller to talk about NFC North offseason moves.
Nolan and Richard are joined by Purple Insider Matthew Coller to talk about NFC North offseason moves.
By this point in the offseason, it’s well documented who the Detroit Lions have added, as well as who they’ve lost.
Former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays was the prize of free agency. He’ll replace Graham Glasgow in the middle of Detroit’s offensive line. Clemson’s Blake Miller, selected 17th overall in April’s draft, is poised to quickly take over at the tackle spot opposite Penei Sewell, stepping in for Taylor Decker. The pass rush was overhauled across from Aidan Hutchinson, with Ahmed Hassanein and Tyler Lacy being the only other edge defenders still on the roster from last season.
Today, we’ll try to take our analysis a step further, identifying a few patterns within Detroit’s offseason approach and exploring what those acquisitions, retentions and departures mean for a Lions team looking to bounce back and reemerge as a title contender in 2026.
Detroit’s offense had its own share of issues throughout 2025. But what the defense produced down the stretch with the season on the line failed to meet reasonable expectations. Opponents averaged 28.1 points and 382.1 yards per game from Weeks 12-18, a stretch that resulted in four losses. Pinning all of Detroit’s defensive woes on one factor would be foolish (and you can’t ignore the role injuries played), but an inconsistent, at best, pass rush certainly didn’t help. The Lions owned the third-slowest time to pressure (2.86 seconds) in the NFL last season, according to Next Gen Stats.
Aside from the retooling opposite Hutchinson, the Lions also seemingly put an emphasis on acquiring interior defensive linemen who can get after the passer. Levi Onwuzurike is back after his contract tolled last season — Josh Paschal, a run-defending lineman who also had his contract tolled but was released in March, wasn’t afforded the same opportunity — and the Lions spent a couple of late-round draft picks on Texas Tech’s Skyler Gill-Howard and Tennessee’s Tyre West. Both players were drafted because of the flashes they’ve shown as pass rushers, particularly Gill-Howard, whose win rate in 2025 (14.4%) ranked 10th out of the 512 FBS interior defenders who rushed the passer on at least 100 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Copying the Super Bowl champions isn’t always wise — every team’s personnel has its own set of skills — but it’s striking how much Detroit’s defense differed from that of the Seattle Seahawks, who rode their defense on the way to winning the franchise’s second title. The Lions led the league in use of base defense (three linebackers) last season, deploying those packages for 657 plays, according to Next Gen Stats. The Seahawks were last, with 66 plays. It was the opposite for use of nickel defense (five defensive backs), with the Seahawks leading the league (815) and the Lions at 32nd (355). Of course, Seattle is unique, given head coach Mike Macdonald’s defensive system and nickelback Nick Emmanwori’s immediate impact as a rookie.
The Lions won’t overhaul their entire scheme in one offseason, but it’s difficult to see their moves in totality and not come away thinking they could lean more on nickel packages in 2026. Alex Anzalone, one of the league’s better linebackers against the pass, allowed the Lions to play base defense as much as they did, as he was comfortable in coverage. He’s now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Lions added a number of viable options to play nickelback next season, including veterans Christian Izien Jr. and Roger McCreary, as well as fifth-round rookie Keith Abney II (Arizona State).
Assuming the starting five, from left to right, winds up being Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Mays, Tate Ratledge and Miller, Detroit’s offensive line will have an average age of 25.2 next season. That’s down from 2025 (27.8) and 2024 (29.8). In no way does the influx of youth indicate surefire success, but the Lions would certainly be set up for sustained success if each of the five projected starters reach their ceilings. The offensive line could be even younger if 2025 fifth-rounder Miles Frazier, who is 11 months younger than Mahogany, wins the starting job at left guard. Juice Scruggs, another contender at left guard, is nine months older than Mahogany. Ben Bartch, 27, is the veteran option.
Whether Mays continues ascending at center will be key to Detroit’s success in 2026. He’s only started 20 games at the position over his four seasons in the NFL, and all of those starts have come within the last two years. He showed week-to-week growth in his 12 starts in 2025, enough for the Lions to commit $25 million ($14 million guaranteed) to him over the next three years. Mays surrendered 13 pressures last season and didn’t allow sack, according to PFF.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
How the PWHL unveiled Detroit’s team amid much fanfare
Chris Ilitch, Mary Sheffield, Jayna Hefford and Amy Scheer talk about the PWHL Detroit team on May 6, 2026.
Josh Sciba comes to the Detroit Professional Women’s Hockey League team with a tremendous recent accolade.
Named to coach the ninth franchise in the PWHL’s history on Thursday, May 28, Sciba joins the team fresh off having served as an assistant coach with the women’s team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Milano Olympics.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity to become the coach of PWHL Detroit and beyond grateful for the trust placed in me to help lead the organization from the beginning,” Sciba said in a statement. “This is home and especially meaningful for me and my entire family, knowing Detroit’s rich hockey history and identity firsthand and how much the women’s hockey community has been yearning for this moment.”
The Detroit PWHL team has taken shape over the past month: From being introduced on May 6 in a gala event at Little Caesars Arena (where the team will play starting late November/early December 2026) to naming Manon Rheaume general manager on May 15.
“Josh is a highly respected coach with a knowledge of the game and experience at all levels of women’s hockey that set him apart, and his passion for teaching and individual character are qualities I value in a leader,” Rhéaume said in a release “Hockeytown is in his blood, and this is an opportunity I know he is eager to embrace with an understanding of what it means to represent this city and be part of its legacy.”
Next on the agenda is shaping the roster itself, which will happen at the June 17 expansion draft at Detroit’s Fox Theatre.
Sciba, 41 and a native of Westland, has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach for the PWHL’s New York Sirens and brings more than 15 years of coaching experience to the role.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter.
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