The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will transform into an evening wonderland of lights during the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild starting in November.
This limited engagement cultural event will dazzle guests with over 30 larger-than-life sculptural LED lantern displays featuring plants, animals, and traditional Asian elements, including a nearly 200-foot-long dragon.
“This festival perfectly integrates cultural traditions of China with the animals and gardens found at the Zoo.” said Dino Ferri, Zoo CEO. “The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is an exceptionally unique event that will bring people together from throughout Central Florida and well beyond.”
The lantern elements will be constructed on-site by more than 30 artists from China, starting in October. Welded metal frames, covered in fabric, will emerge throughout the Zoo as flowers, cranes, giraffe, butterflies, rhinos and more—all LED lit-from-within.
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is presented in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc. and Sichuan Tianyu Culture Communication Co., Ltd. The festival will take place over 38 nights, starting November 20 and running through January 12, 2020, Wednesday through Sunday evenings, from 6 to 10 PM. The festival will be closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day.
Tickets will be available for purchase through the Zoo’s website beginning in early October. Event admission tickets are separate from Zoo admission and must be purchased for a specific night of the festival. General admission is $18.50 per person; children 2 and under and parking are free. A special 4-pack of tickets will be available for purchase online for $50.00. Zoo Annual Pass Holders will receive a discounted price of $15.50 per person named on the pass card.
Throughout the festival, unique crafts and artisans, as well as a variety of Asian and American food options, will be available for purchase.
Open field parking is included with all admission tickets.
Event photos can be found at bit.ly/2lUcGgH.
*Please note–these images have been provided by Tianyu from lantern festivals held at other facilities. Display and setup may differ when constructed at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
For more information, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org/lanterns.
