All images courtesy Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks.
All images courtesy Kyle Lanzer/Cleveland Metroparks.
To borrow an industry term, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is "wild."
With 183 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits, along with more than 3,000 animals representing over 600 species, the Zoo is a point of pride for all in The Land.
This place is amazing for trips with the family during the daylight hours, but the real magic happens when the sun goes down and you get down with all your favorite furry, feathered and scaled friends at night. There's nothing quite like an evening at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, especially during the Asian Lantern Festival, which returns July 9 through Aug. 23.
Light Up the Night
The festival has broken U.S. and international attendance records for a lighting event of its kind and has become a summer staple in Northeast Ohio, drawing more than 150,000 guests each year. This year's festival features new interactive experiences, including a K-Pop Family Dance Party, pedal-, crank- and step-powered lanterns, walk-through tunnels and the immersive RainForest Path presented by CrossCountry Mortgage. Whether you're stopping for photos or jumping into the action, every turn brings another larger-than-life display.
There are also a limited number of drive-through opportunities on select nights for guests who want to experience the festival from the comfort of their own vehicle.
If all the glowing gloriousness wasn't enough, there's even more festival fun on tap:
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Hourly live entertainment on the Fifth Third Bank Stage.
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K-Pop Family Dance Party.
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Asian craft market.
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Culturally inspired cuisine at the MetroHealth Asian Food Market.
Follow the Glow
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival, presented by Meijer, runs Thursday through Sunday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., from July 9 through Aug. 23.
Advance Tickets: $27 for non-members, $24 for Zoo members.
Same-Day Tickets: $29 for non-members, $27 for Zoo members.
Children under 2 are admitted free.
Walk-through dates: Thursdays through Sundays, July 9 through Aug. 23.
Drive-through dates: July 15, 22 and 29; Aug. 12 and 19.