Wild Lights at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake (News photo — Oliver Reil)

TUPPER LAKE — Over a brightly lit bridge and into even brighter woods lies a hidden wonderland in the Adirondack darkness.

The Wild Lights at the Tupper Lake Wild Center were an idea thrown around for many years, said marketing director Nick Gunn, but the holiday event was made a reality in December of 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Gunn said the lights have been a huge success in the years since then.

“It’s become a tradition for lots of folks in the region,” Gunn said.

At the project’s launch, the Wild Center was limited by a 200-visitors-per-night cap. Last year, Gunn reported 1,000 visitors per night in the second half of December. According to Gunn, it’s mostly locals visiting the Wild Center to see the lights.

“To be able to provide that for the community is really gratifying,” Gunn said.

Wild Lights at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake (News photo — Oliver Reil)

Wild Lights this year features three main attractions. From the patio outside the great hall, visitors can walk over a bridge, onto a walkway and into the woods, where they’ll be met with music. This part is named “Forest Music.” It includes a short loop through dark timber, illuminated by thousands of colored lights synchronized to a bespoke soundtrack from Whatever Penny. Across the parking lot, the Wild Center’s Wild Walk gets new life after dark. Though the outward views are covered by darkness, posts and walkways are laced with lights. The third attraction, “Hopscotch,” sits in the woods slightly before and below the Wild Walk. If not for the brilliance of its lights, visitors would likely walk right by. Created by Patrick Dougherty, this multi-room stickwork structure was made by weaving together thousands of sticks.

The Wild Lights are a big production. The staff at the Wild Center are responsible for it all: Electrical system, lighting and sound.

“It’s transformed operations in the wintertime here,” Gunn said.

Inside, visitors can enjoy a hot cocoa bar. Adult visitors can also try the Wild Center’s new Wild Lights light lager, brewed in partnership with Raquette River Brewing.

In the future, the hope is to expand Wild Lights while maintaining its spirit, according to Gunn. There are plenty of trails for expansion, and the “sky is the limit,” Gunn said.

Wild Lights opened on Nov. 24 and will continue on Fridays and Saturday nights, 5 to 8 p.m., through Feb. 24. This week until Sunday, Dec. 31, and from Feb. 16 to Feb. 24, Wild Lights will be open every night. Tickets are $10 for those ages 18 and up; $5 for those ages 17 and under; and free for children ages 4 and under.

The Wild Center is located at 45 Museum Dr. in Tupper Lake.