Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival Date Time and Location
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is a breathtaking event that lights up the night with glowing art, cultural performances, and family fun. Just like the Golden Sky Festival, it creates an atmosphere where tradition, creativity, and entertainment come together for an unforgettable experience. Families walk through beautifully crafted lanterns, enjoy live shows, and take part in interactive activities that make the evening special. This festival has quickly become one of Ohio’s most popular seasonal attractions, offering both locals and tourists a chance to celebrate culture under the stars.
What Type of Festival is the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival?
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is a seasonal light and cultural festival. It features more than 60 handcrafted LED lantern installations created by artisans from China. The lanterns are designed to represent animals, plants, and mythical creatures, giving guests a chance to walk through glowing art displays while learning about different traditions.
Visitors also enjoy cultural performances such as lion dances and acrobatics. Interactive displays like stomp pads and light swings add fun for families. The festival also includes select zoo rides like the train and carousel, which are decorated with lanterns and included in the experience.
Who Organizes the Festival?
The festival is organized by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in collaboration with Hanart Culture, a cultural exchange group that specializes in large scale lantern festivals. Hanart Culture brings skilled artisans from Zigong, China, a city known for its long history of lantern making. This partnership ensures authenticity while also giving Ohio residents a global cultural experience.
By hosting this event, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium aims to provide entertainment that goes beyond animal exhibits. It allows the zoo to connect conservation, education, and culture under one beautiful nighttime event.
Motive Behind the Festival
The main motive behind the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is to bring cultural exchange and conservation awareness together. By using lanterns shaped like wildlife, the zoo promotes its mission of protecting animals while giving visitors a chance to enjoy art.
The lanterns highlight the beauty of animals, both real and mythical, in a way that sparks curiosity in children and adults. The inclusion of performances like acrobatics and dances adds to the theme of celebrating global traditions.
It is also a way for the zoo to attract evening visitors, giving families an alternative experience beyond daytime animal exhibits. The revenue supports the zoo’s operations and conservation programs, which are important for protecting endangered species worldwide.
Where to Buy Tickets for the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival?
To attend the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival, visitors need a separate ticket because the festival takes place after normal zoo hours. Tickets can be purchased from the eventbrite . Both members and non-members can attend, but members receive discounted rates.
Tickets are valid for any festival night, which gives families flexibility to choose the evening that works best for them. Prices for 2025 are generally around $26.99 for adults and $23.99 for children for non-members. Members usually pay less, with adult tickets at around $19.99 and children’s tickets around $16.99.
Ticket Options Overview
| Ticket Type | Adult Price | Child Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Member | $26.99 | $23.99 | Regular price |
| Member | $19.99 | $16.99 | Discounted |
| VIP Tour | $299–$599 | Priva |
Dates and Times for 2025
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival runs during late summer and early fall. For 2025, the official dates are July 31 – October 5. The event is held on Thursdays through Sundays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. This evening schedule ensures the lanterns glow brightly in the dark and provide the magical effect they are designed for.
Date and Time Table
| Dates | Days Open | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| July 31 – Oct 5, 2025 | Thursday – Sunday | 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. |
| Closed | Sept 19, 2025 | Fundraising Event |
Guests are encouraged to arrive just before sunset to catch the cultural performances that often begin around 7:30 p.m. Since the event requires walking across several areas of the zoo, comfortable shoes and a light jacket for cool nights are recommended.
Attendance at the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival attracts thousands of visitors each season, making it one of the most popular events in Central Ohio. Families, couples, and travelers from across the state come to see the glowing lanterns and enjoy cultural performances. Attendance is steady throughout the festival, but weekends often see larger crowds due to family outings and tourist visits. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking and catch the first shows of the evening, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience at this highly attended celebration.
Live Performances at the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is not just about lanterns but also about the talented performers who make each night unforgettable. Visitors can watch colorful lion dances, skillful acrobatic shows, and fun character meet-and-greets that add energy and culture to the evening. The lineup is designed so that families can enjoy multiple performances at different times, making the entire night lively and engaging. Even if rain arrives, the shows continue indoors, keeping the spirit of the festival alive.
| Time | Performance |
|---|---|
| 7:30 PM | Character Ambassador Meet-and-Greets |
| 7:30 PM | Traditional Lion Dance |
| 8:00 PM | Traditional Acrobatic Show |
| 8:15 PM | Traditional Lion Dance |
| 8:30 PM | Traditional Acrobatic Show |
| 8:45 PM | Traditional Acrobatic Show |
| 9:15 PM | Traditional Acrobatic Show |
This schedule ensures that no matter when guests stroll through the glowing lantern paths, they can always enjoy a lively performance that adds excitement to the night.
Final Thoughts
The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is a breathtaking mix of art, culture, and family fun that creates lasting memories for everyone who visits. With glowing lanterns, live performances, interactive activities, and limited evening animal viewing, the festival offers a unique experience that goes far beyond a normal zoo trip. It is an event that celebrates creativity and cultural exchange while supporting the zoo’s mission of conservation. Just like the Mill Valley Music Festival brings people together through sound and performance, the Lantern Festival unites families through light and tradition, making it a must see attraction in Ohio.
