Updated: September 2, 2026
If you’re looking for a magical way to light up your late-summer and fall nights, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival is the place to be.
Running August 20 through October 25, the Lantern Festival takes over the zoo every Thursday through Sunday from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Now in its third year, the event fills the paths with more than 70 sets of glowing lanterns and two live shows a night.
This year’s run adds some new things. Dinosaur lanterns join the animal displays for the first time. There are also new interactive features around Adventure Cove and Conservation Lake, plus a floating lantern display on the lake itself. One scheduling note: the festival is closed on Friday, September 18 for Untamed, the zoo’s conservation gala.
A Night of Lights and Wonders
I can’t think of a better way to cap off summer than strolling the zoo with more than 70 sets of lantern displays, over 1,200 individual lanterns in all, guiding your way. These brilliantly lit animal scenes will turn your regular zoo visit into an extraordinary adventure.
Each lantern is handcrafted by artisans from Zigong, China, a city known for centuries of lantern making. The tradition goes back to the Han Dynasty, and the modern version runs on LED bulbs, music, sound effects, and moving parts. Pandas, tigers, sea turtles, and now dinosaurs all get the treatment.
The displays run through six areas of the zoo: Entry Village, Adventure Cove, Conservation Lake, North America Trek, Asia Quest, and Shores Park.
New This Year: Dinosaur Lanterns
The zoo’s headline addition for this run is a set of dinosaur lanterns glowing alongside the usual animals, which is a fair bet to be the thing kids talk about on the drive home. Adventure Cove and Conservation Lake pick up new interactive features, and a floating lantern display now sits on the water at Conservation Lake. Both are new since the festival’s first run in 2024.
Two Shows Every Night
The lanterns are the draw, but the performances are worth planning around. Two shows run every evening, and each one plays twice, so you can catch both without rushing the walk.
- Dragon Dance: 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. in Conservation Courtyard.
- Guzheng, Korean Drum and Dance: 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on the Conservation Lake Stage.
Times can change without notice and the performances depend on the weather, so check the zoo’s app for that night’s schedule when you arrive at 7:30 p.m.
The Animals You Can Still See
While the lanterns are obviously the main attraction, you can still see some of the Zoo’s actual residents during the evening. The sea lion and seal tunnel will be open until 10:30 p.m., elephants will have access to an outdoor yard at Asia Quest when weather permits, and several other animal areas will remain open into the evening.
Most animals are resting once the daytime zoo closes, so this is a bonus, not the point. The zoo lists Adventure Cove, North America Trek, Asia Quest, and Shores and Aquarium as the regions where you may spot a few, and closing times vary by area, with the sea lion tunnel the latest at 10:30 p.m.
Rides Are Included
There are interactive photo spots along the paths and meet-and-greets with the Zoo Character Ambassadors. Your ticket also covers unlimited spins on select rides, though they can close for weather or mechanical reasons: Mission Macaw, Tidal Twist, Flying Clipper, Havoc Harbor in Adventure Cove, the Columbus Zoo Train, and the Zoo’s historic Grand Carousel.
Plan Your Visit
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- Dates & Hours: Thursdays through Sundays, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., August 20 through October 25, 2026.
- Closed one night: Friday, September 18, for the zoo’s Untamed gala.
- Ticket Info: This is a separate ticketed event, not included with daytime zoo admission. Zoo members get a discount. If you want the daytime zoo too, the zoo sells a Roar and Return ticket that adds regular admission at a reduced rate. Buy in advance on the Columbus Zoo’s website to skip the gate line.
- Parking: Complimentary. Parking is free for Lantern Festival guests.
- Weather: It’s an outdoor walking event, and it goes on in the rain, so dress for the evening.
- Getting around: The zoo’s free mobile app has walking directions to each lantern region and to the food stands. Search “Lantern” once it’s installed.
Food and Drinks
You won’t go hungry wandering the paths. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed as long as they follow the zoo’s cooler policy, and straws and lids aren’t permitted anywhere in the park. For the festival menus, look for Village Tap, where the shareables include fries and pork belly burnt ends, and Wildburger, which does pot stickers and bang bang shrimp alongside burgers.
Want the VIP Treatment?
If you’d rather ride than walk, the zoo runs private golf-cart tours of the lanterns on nights the festival is closed to the public. The VIP Lantern Festival Tours run on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from September 7 through October 21, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A guide drives you through the lantern regions and explains how the pieces are made. Carts hold four, six, or ten people and run $299, $399, or $599 per cart, and there are no refunds if you cancel inside 48 hours.
Lantern Festival FAQ
Is it good for kids? Yes. It’s an outdoor walk, so bring a stroller for the little ones and comfortable shoes for everyone else.
Does my ticket include the daytime zoo? No. The Lantern Festival is a separate after-hours event and doesn’t cover regular daytime admission. The Roar and Return ticket is the way to get both.
Is it open every night? No. It runs Thursdays through Sundays only, and it’s dark on Friday, September 18 for the Untamed gala.
What happens if it rains? The festival goes on in the rain, so bring a jacket and plan accordingly.
Are tickets refundable? Tickets aren’t refundable, but they can be used on any night the festival is running, so a rained-out evening isn’t a loss.
Is parking free? Yes. Parking is complimentary for Lantern Festival guests.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit the Columbus Zoo’s website.
