Columbus Zoo holding first ever lantern festival featuring LED animal figures

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will soon hold its first-ever lantern festival, illuminating the zoo with animal figures.

The display will feature 60 sets of multicolored LED animal lanterns placed throughout the zoo. Along with the lanterns, guests can explore various aspects of Asian culture by viewing shows each evening, which may include acrobats, kung fu demonstrations, puppetry shows, or folk music performances. 

Guests can attend the festival beginning Aug. 1 until Sept. 29, every Thursday through Sunday from 7 to 10 p.m. The festival, produced by Hanart Culture, will take place rain or shine. 

“We are excited to bring this extraordinary event to our community,” Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Tom Schmid said. “The Lantern Festival is a modern take on an ancient tradition, and we are honored to showcase the incredible artistry and cultural richness of Asia. Our guests will have the unique opportunity to see these lanterns and enjoy the vibrant entertainment and cultural experiences.”

The event is not included with regular zoo admission. Admission rates for nonmembers are $25.99 for adults and $22.99 for children. Columbus Zoo members receive a discounted admission rate of $18.99 for adults and $15.99 for children.

Twenty artists from China will handcraft each of the scenes featuring animals from around the world. The festival highlights the evolution of lantern-making from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 220 A.D.) to the present day. Modern technology brings the figures to life with LED light bulbs, musical enhancements, sound effects and visual moving parts. 

The zoo said the lanterns will be the star of the show, as zoo animals “take a rest” during evening hours. Tickets to the lantern festival can be purchased here.