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 July 5 – Sunday, August 24, 2025

In addition to the stunning displays, enjoy live acrobatic performances every hour on the Fifth Third Bank Stage, and culturally inspired cuisine at the MetroHealth Asian Food Market.

Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks

Guest will walk-through to experience the displays. Drive-thru dates are Wednesdays beginning July 9 – August 20 (minus July 30). 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.

Festival details

The Asian Lantern Festival runs from 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm select nights, and features more than 70 new large-scaled illuminated displays. You’ll also enjoy live performances on the Fifth Third Bank Stage.

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. The Asian Lantern Festival will not include any part of Australian Adventure, or Primate, Cat & Aquatics areas; all buildings, including The RainForest, will remain closed.

Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks

Asian Lantern Festival Walk Through Event

Advance tickets are $24 each for zoo members and $27 each for non-members. Free for children under 2. Advance four-pack of tickets is $70 for Cleveland Metroparks members and $80 for non-members.

Purchase tickets at the box office for $27-$29 per person (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 select Wednesdays through August 20.

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.

Cost is $49 per car for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo members and $59 per car for non-members. Tickets may sell out, so purchase now!

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, Ohio 44109
216.661.6500