CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced the Asian Lantern Festival, a six-week limited exhibition that illuminates the zoo with spectacular lanterns, is coming back this summer. Last year, the festival broke U.S. and international records for attendance with more than 150,000 guests.
Beginning on June 20, the festival will bring hundreds of illuminated lanterns to the zoo's grounds.
“We are thankful to Cleveland Clinic Children’s for their continued partnership, making it possible to once again offer this truly unique experience to the community,” said Cleveland Metroparks Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Manderfield in a news release. “The Asian Lantern Festival is returning bigger than ever with all-new displays, additional live performances and an enhanced offering of culturally-inspired cuisine."
The new displays this year include a walk-through 100-foot-long shark tunnel, a 30-foot tall giant panda, interactive moon swings, stepping stones and an expansive display of Chinese pagodas.
The event is limited, running from Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6:30-10:30 p.m. on June 20 through July 28.
Zoo members get discount tickets for $15.50. Tickets for non-members are $18.50 or $50 for a 4-pack when purchased in advance.
Advance ticket sales end at midnight the day before each event. Tickets can also be purchased the same day at the box office for $20.50 or a 4-pack for $60.
Children under are 2 are free.
Tickets are on sale now. Buy them here.
