Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Take a daytrip or overnight to Cleveland to check out the Asian Lantern Festival presented by Meijer at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This unique festival is held select dates through Sunday, August 27, 2023

This year’s festival brings back live performances featuring acrobatics including foot juggling, contortion, martial arts and more.

Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks

Guest will walk-through to experience the displays. Drive-thru dates are Wednesdays beginning July 12 – August 23. No live performances during drive-through dates.

Note: this event is at the Cleveland MetroParks Zoo, NOT the Columbus Zoo. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is about 2 hours from Columbus.

The Asian Lantern Festival runs from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm select nights, and features more than 70 large-scaled illuminated displays.

You’ll also enjoy live performances on the Fifth Third Bank Stage and a new interactive zone. Over 1,000 lanterns are placed across several destinations of the Zoo.

Most areas of the Zoo will be open. While some animals will be out and about (such as nocturnal animals), many will naturally be less visible as they return to their sleeping areas.

Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks

Asian Lantern Festival Walk Through Event

Advance tickets are $19 each for zoo members and $22 each for non-members. Free for children under 2. Advance four-pack of tickets is $60 for Cleveland Metroparks members and $70 for non-members.

Purchase tickets at the box office for $25 per person, or $75 for four (if not sold out).

Regular Zoo admission does not provide entry to Asian Lantern Festival. If you wish to visit the Zoo to see the animals during the day, you will need to purchase a separate Zoo ticket.

Purchase your tickets in advance before they sell out.

Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks

Asian Lantern Festival Drive Through Event

Prefer to stay in your car? The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo offers a Drive-Through experience for the Asian Lantern Festival on select nights.

The drive-through experience is available from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm on Wednesdays beginning July 12 – August 23.

Guests must stay in their cars for the entire experience, except in designated safety zones or in an emergency. Vehicle size limited to 20 feet in length, and 6 ½ feet width (no buses, limos, etc)

The average drive-through experience lasts 30-45 minutes, and includes Asian Lantern Festival and Dinosaurs Around the World.

Cost is $45 per car for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo members and $55 per car for non-members. Tickets may sell out, so purchase now!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216.661.6500