Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights

Journey back in time with Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights at Adelaide Zoo from 4 July 2024.

Adelaide Zoo and Illuminate Adelaide present Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights, a brand new event that will take you on a thrilling adventure through time.

Dinosaurs come alive!

Witness the evolution of Earth’s first creatures with life-size puppets, dazzling light displays, and incredible large-scale installations. See playful Plesiosaurs frolic with their young, come face-to-face with Australia’s Megaraptor, and even wander through a sea of floating Biolumes. Illuminate Adelaide’s co-founders and creative directors, Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge said: “Like Light Creatures before it, Universal Kingdom will be a wonderful experience for parents and grandparents to share with children. At some stage, we’ve all conjured visions of dinosaurs and this is a chance to see these mythical creatures of the past come to life in front of your very eyes.”

“A Blanck Canvas is thrilled to be taking a stomp back in time by creating installations for Prehistoric Nights for Adelaide Zoo and Illuminate Adelaide. We’re talking big scale, mighty old Mesozoic creatures that have risen out of the depths to put the wow in your winter! Don’t miss them,” said Joe Blanck, A Blanck Canvas.

A fun family night out!

This three-weekend event (July 4th – 21st) is perfect for families. Explore the zoo transformed by After Dark Theatre’s magical lighting, and be amazed by the interactive performances by Erth’s puppeteers.

Don’t miss out!

Prehistoric Nights promises to be an unforgettable experience.

To buy tickets, including Relaxed Session and early bird tickets discounted until 5 May – click here

Highlights:

• Life-size dinosaur puppets and installations
• Interactive performances by Erth puppeteers
• Dazzling light displays and glowing bioluminescent creatures
• Educational focus on prehistoric creatures and conservation
• Delicious food and warming drinks and treats available for purchase

Dates: Thu 04 – Sun 21 July 2024 (Prehistoric Nights runs Thursday – Sunday, 6.30pm – 9.30pm with two sessions).
Times: Nightly 6:30pm and 7:45pm
Location: Adelaide Zoo
Tickets:

• Early Bird – General Admission – $28
• General Admission – $35
• Early Bird – Zoos SA Members – $28
• Zoos SA Members – $30
• Groups of 4+ – $125
• Zoos SA Members Group of 4+ – $108

buy tickets here

Here’s what we thought:

Illuminate is back at the Adelaide Zoo with Universal Kingdom: Prehistoric Nights!

On until 21 July and with sessions Thursday to Sunday, wander the grounds of our gorgeous zoo under the cover of darkness, exploring beautiful light, puppet and dinosaur installations!

Ideal for all ages, we took our crew ranging from 3 to 16 and they all loved the experience. Here are our tips:

– Zoo cafe food and drink is available if you want to grab a bite
– Prams are very welcome and we packed ours full of blankets for when Mr 3 didn’t want to walk anymore
– Bring your glow sticks and flashing wands
– leave time for a play at the amazing children’s playground, which is open and lit up for the night
– Parking on Plain Tree Drive was busy but there seemed enough parks for most. We arrived 15mins before our session and scored a park.
– The puppeteers will bring the Dino puppets right up close to the kids, so be aware if yours may be scared like ours were for very short periods (until they just patted the Dino’s tails instead of the head!)