GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — John Ball Zoo is excited about the return of the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival after more than 110,000 guests visited last year's event.
This year, the Lantern Festival is expected to be bigger and better with more days to see the exhibit in addition to new lanterns, new entertainment and new themes.
The main themes for the 2024 event will be a Chinese culture section, an ocean-themed section and an insect-themed section. It’s the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac, so a large dragon tunnel will greet visitors at the front of the Zoo.
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will run from April 10 through June 16, Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
"In just a couple of short weeks, our partners will be on-site, setting up the lanterns. And then we'll get to watch the zoo transform with all these beautiful works of art. I'm really excited to have it back for the second year, especially after seeing it last year. We're just excited for new lanterns, improvements to the event. And we're just excited for more people to be able to come out and see it," said Darci Napolillo, Promotion and Events Manager at John Ball Zoo.
"It's 10 weeks this year instead of eight. So we're just trying to give people more opportunities to come out and see this is, it's such a unique experience," explained Napolillo.
"We just wanted to bring a cool, unique experience to Grand Rapids. Like I said, there's really nothing like this in Michigan that you can see right now, we actually saw at a couple other zoos, and we just fell in love with it and knew it would be perfect for Grand Rapids," Napolillo added.
General admission tickets go on sale on Monday, Feb. 5.
What is the Lantern Festival?
The Lantern Festival takes guests through a one-mile tour through John Ball Zoo. The festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and share stories about wildlife and Asian culture.
When is the Lantern Festival?
Starting April 10, you can visit John Ball Zoo from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through June 16.
How much do tickets cost?
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | GENERAL ADMISSION
Non-members | $22.00
Members | $19.00
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY | 4 PASS TICKETS
*This means you are purchasing 4 tickets for 4 people on the same night.
Non-members | $70.00
Members | $60.00
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY | GENERAL ADMISSION
Non-members | $24.00
Members | $21.00
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY | 4 PASS TICKETS
*This means you are purchasing 4 tickets for 4 people on the same night.
Non-members | $75.00
Members | $65.00
How does ticketing work?
The zoo offers timed tickets every half hour from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
It costs $22 for non-members on Wednesdays and Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, non-member tickets cost $24 a piece.
For those wanting to buy multiple tickets, the zoo offers a lower rate for a four-pack.
You can buy tickets online on the zoo's website.
While the ticketing is timed, you don't have to leave once your half-hour is over. Guests are welcome to enjoy the lights at their own pace.
How long does it take to walk through the whole tour?
It just depends! If you're someone who likes to take your time checking out the details, it could be a longer stroll. But if you're someone who walks with pace, expect a shorter trip.
The zoo said it takes around 1 to 1 ½ hours to get through the entire festival route.
Will animals be visible during the Lantern Festival?
The zoo said animals will not be visible on the Lantern Festival route at night.
Citing safety, the zoo said most animals are kept on their typical nightly routine and moved to their indoor habitats for the evening.
13 ON YOUR SIDE is a proud festival sponsor.
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