Powell, OH – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is excited to announce the return of the popular Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival, bringing new highlights and expanded experiences for 2025. Produced in partnership with Hanart Culture, this dazzling family-friendly event will welcome guests to explore the Zoo after hours on select Thursdays through Sundays from July 31 through October 5, 2025 (closed Friday, September 19 for a conservation fundraiser), from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Visitors can look forward to vibrant lanterns, cultural entertainment, and cherished family memories surrounded by over 60 sets of stunning LED lantern displays.
Guests will have the opportunity to discover lanterns placed throughout the Zoo’s new North America Trek region, highlighting species found within North America and connecting the experience to the habitats guests explore during the day. In addition to the many lanterns throughout the park that highlight species guests know and love at the Columbus Zoo, the festival will also feature new mythical creature lanterns, including a western green dragon, burning phoenix, griffin, Quetzalcoatl, unicorns, and Pegasus, adding a touch of fantasy and whimsy to this vibrant event. Additional new features for 2025 include interactive lanterns, such as stomp pads, light swings, shower clouds, and more, providing playful ways for guests to engage with the displays. The Columbus Zoo Train, presented by Primrose Schools, is also new this year and included with Lantern Festival admission, with lanterns lining its route around North America Trek for a unique way to experience the Zoo after dark.
“We are excited to once again collaborate with Hanart to provide an exceptional experience that celebrates the wonder of wildlife, the richness of Asian culture, and our continued dedication to offering new and exciting opportunities for our community to connect with the Columbus Zoo,” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid. “This year, we are especially excited to feature the lanterns throughout our new North America Trek region, offering guests even more ways to engage in this remarkable new region.”
Handcrafted Lanterns Blend Artistry with Conservation Stories at the Zoo
Twenty skilled artisans from Zigong, China, will be on-site at the Columbus Zoo, meticulously installing and maintaining the handcrafted lantern displays throughout the event. This festival highlights the evolution of lantern making from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.–220 A.D.) to today, where traditional techniques blend with modern materials and technology to create vibrant displays illuminated by LED lights, enhanced with music, sound effects, and moving parts.
“This centuries-old craftsmanship takes nearly 30,000 hours to design, shape, and bring each lantern to life, and every lantern guests see at the Columbus Zoo is handcrafted by masters from Zigong, China,” said George Zhao, president of Hanart Culture, the producer of the event. “Through these stunning displays and cultural performances, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival celebrates the rich tapestry of Asian cultures, inviting the Central Ohio community to immerse themselves in a world of light, color, and tradition.”
The Lantern Festival offers a perfect evening out for families and friends, including:
- Custom, jaw-dropping performances curated specifically for this event
- Complimentary parking
- Select rides such as Mission Macaw, Tidal Twist, Flying Clipper, Havoc Harbor in Adventure Cove, the Columbus Zoo Train, and the Zoo’s historic Grand Carousel
- Interactive features and playful photo opportunities throughout the Zoo
- Themed food and beverages available for purchase
- Zoo Character Ambassador meet-and-greets and rolling celebration trains
Ticket Information
- The Lantern Festival is a separate ticketed event and is not included with Zoo admission. Admission rates for non-members are $26.99 for adults and $23.99 for children. Columbus Zoo members receive a discounted admission rate of $19.99 for adults and $16.99 for children.
- New! Roar and Return Pass: This two-part ticket replaces last year’s “combo ticket,” providing guests with the opportunity to visit the Zoo during the day and return for the Lantern Festival on a separate date of their choosing, offering added flexibility for planning family fun.
- Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance for this unforgettable event.
- For a more personalized experience, Lantern Specialty Tours will be offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings in September, featuring VIP cart tours through the lantern displays with special conservation stops at Discovery Reef, North America Trek, and Asia Quest.
Know Before You Go
- The festival will go on, rain or shine.
- The Lantern Festival runs Thursdays through Sundays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., July 31 through October 5, 2025. (Exception: The Lantern Festival is closed on Friday, September 19 for Untamed, the Zoo’s conservation fundraiser.)
- The Lantern Festival is a separate ticketed event and is not included with Zoo admission.
- While the animals in our care rest during the evening, the lanterns are the true stars of the event, creating memories for families and friends during this 10-week celebration. However, some animal viewing opportunities will be available at select times during the festival.
Animal Viewing During the Lantern Festival
While the Lantern Festival focuses on the artistry of the lanterns, guests will still have opportunities to see animals in select regions of the Zoo during the event. Viewing areas include:
- Adventure Cove: The sea lion and seal tunnel and Stingray Bay will be open until 10 p.m. Jack Hanna’s Animal Encounters Village will be open until 8 p.m. with nightly animal encounters offered at 7:45 p.m.
- North America Trek: Viewing opportunities of select animals are available until dusk, with lantern-lined pathways enhancing the experience.
- Asia Quest: The Asia Quest Interpretive Center will be open until 10:30 p.m. Elephant viewing opportunities will be offered until 8 p.m., with outdoor yard access available to the elephants as weather permits.
- Shores & Aquarium: Discovery Reef Aquarium, Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and the Reptile Building will be open until 8:30 p.m.
For additional information about the Columbus Zoo’s events, conservation initiatives, educational programs, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
