By 1808Delaware
As the sun sets over Powell this summer and fall, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will transform into an illuminated dreamscape. From July 31 to October 5, 2025, more than 60 larger-than-life LED lantern sets will wind through the Zoo’s brand-new North America Trek region, guiding guests along pathways normally reserved for bison, moose, and bald eagles. By night, those familiar habitats become the canvas for shimmering wolves, towering bison, and an entire bestiary of mythical creatures that appear only after dusk.
Myth and Majesty Among the Animals
This year’s festival adds a dash of fantasy to its conservation message. Lantern renditions of a western green dragon, burning phoenix, griffin, Quetzalcoatl, unicorns, and Pegasus soar above real-world wildlife scenes, inviting visitors to imagine a place where legends coexist with living species. “We’re thrilled to weave the wonder of wildlife together with the rich storytelling of Asian lantern culture,” says Zoo President and CEO Tom Schmid. “The result is an evening that feels both magical and meaningful.”
Interactive Illumination for All Ages
Beyond the view-only displays of years past, 2025’s edition is designed for play. Kids can hop onto stomp-pad drums that ripple color through a field of flowers, sway on glowing light swings, or dance beneath “shower clouds” that pulse with every raindrop-like touch. The Columbus Zoo Train, presented by Primrose Schools, will debut its own ribbon of lanterns, offering a rolling vantage point on the sparkling North America Trek loop—all included with festival admission.
Artisans Behind the Glow
Twenty master craftsmen from Zigong, China, will spend upward of 30,000 hours designing, shaping, and installing each display by hand. Their work fuses centuries-old silk-and-bamboo techniques with silent motors, synchronized sound effects, and energy-saving LEDs. It’s a feat of living folk art on the grandest scale—one that Hanart Culture president George Zhao calls “a celebration of light, color, and tradition unlike any other in Central Ohio.”
More Than Lanterns: Rides, Shows, and Conservation Stops
• Custom cultural performances pop up nightly on open-air stages.
• Mission Macaw, Tidal Twist, Flying Clipper, and Havoc Harbor rides all operate after hours.
• VIP Lantern Specialty Tours (Monday–Wednesday in September) whisk small groups by cart to Discovery Reef, North America Trek lookouts, and Asia Quest, layering conservation stories into the spectacle.
Practical Magic: Tickets and Times
• Festival nights: Thursdays–Sundays, 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. (closed Friday, Sept. 19 for the Zoo’s Untamed fundraiser).
• Admission: $26.99 adults, $23.99 children; Columbus Zoo members $19.99 adults, $16.99 children.
• New Roar and Return Pass lets guests visit the Zoo by day and come back for the lanterns on a later date.
• Parking is complimentary.
• Advance online purchase is strongly recommended; events proceed rain or shine.
Creature Comforts After Dark
Although most animals tuck in for the evening, select habitats remain open. Guests can wander the Adventure Cove sea-lion tunnel, watch elephants at Asia Quest until 8 PM, or glide past manatees in Discovery Reef before 8:30 PM. Lantern-lined walkways ensure the transition between exhibits feels seamless—and spectacular.
If You Go
Dress for a leisurely mile-plus stroll, keep your phone charged for those perfect family photos, and arrive early to catch sunset silhouettes over the lantern build. Whether you come for the dragons, the sea-lion night swim, or simply the chance to see the Zoo in an entirely new light, the 2025 Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival promises its brightest season yet.
