Tickets on sale now for the Zoo’s popular afterhours event running July 6 to August 21
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced today Asian Lantern Festival presented by Meijer returns for a fifth year beginning Wednesday, July 6. The record-breaking afterhours event will feature both walk-through and drive-through experiences, large-scale illuminated lantern displays, live acrobatic performances on the Fifth Third Bank Stage and culturally inspired cuisine.
Set-up is already underway to transform Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with over 1,000 illuminated lanterns that will light up the Zoo after dark. This year’s event will include some of the largest displays yet, including a 100-foot-long, four-story-tall palace, sprawling Chinese gardens along Waterfowl Lake and a half-dozen giant walk-through lanterns that will surround guests with colorful flowers.
“Asian Lantern Festival has become a summer staple in Cleveland with guests returning year after year to experience the Zoo in a whole new way,” said Kelly Manderfield, Cleveland Metroparks Chief Marketing Officer. “Thanks to the tremendous support of our partners we’re able to elevate the festival every year and we can’t wait to share our biggest and most complex displays yet.”
Asian Lantern Festival draws over 150,000 guests each year to experience the wonder of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after dark. This year’s festival will feature live performances every hour on the Fifth Third Bank Stage. Throughout the festival, guests can taste a variety of culturally inspired cuisine including local Cleveland favorites at the MetroHealth Asian Food Market. This year’s displays include a variety of animals – from endangered species to mystical dragons – including the new RainForest light zone presented by CrossCountry Mortgage that pays homage to the future CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Gallery and Primate Forest.
In addition to the full walk-through experience Thursdays through Sundays from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., a limited number of drive-through opportunities will be available on Wednesday nights for individuals and families who wish to experience this year’s event from the comfort of their personal vehicles.
“Meijer is excited to be partnering with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo for our second year in support of the Asian Lantern Festival event,” Meijer Senior Director of Community Partnerships and Giving Cathy Cooper said. “We hope to help guests immerse themselves within this awe-inspiring cultural experience this summer.”
Tickets are on sale now and guests can reserve their spot and save by purchasing tickets in advance. The discounted cost for Zoo members is $19 or a 4-pack for $57. Advance non-member tickets are $22 or a 4-pack for $66. Same day tickets can be purchased at the Box Office for $25 or a 4-pack for $75. Drive-through tickets are $57 per vehicle for members and $66 per vehicle for non-members. Children under 2 are admitted free. Advance tickets are on sale now at FutureForWildlife.org/lanterns.