New Lantern Festival in Grand Rapids for 2023!
Be transported to a realm of magic and creativity at the new Grand Rapids Lantern Festival!
New things to do in the spring, like the new Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, don’t often show up on the West Michigan landscape. When they do, we notice.
This new lantern festival is at John Ball Zoo from April 19 through Sunday, June 11, 2023. It’s like nothing our area has seen before, featuring interactive displays, fun activities, and endless enchantment.
And now, tickets are available.
What to Expect at the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Get ready for a breathtaking experience for all ages.
John Ball Zoo has teamed up with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. to bring this festival to Grand Rapids, making our city the first and only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan. 
Chinese Lantern Festival Display by Tianyu Arts & Culture
As the largest Chinese lantern festival producer in North America, they were the first company to bring authentic Chinese Lantern traditions to the U.S. and Europe. 
Entrance to John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival
Today, they use innovative dynamic projections and ground displays to bring everything the light touches to life.
“We’re so excited to bring this incredible experience to John Ball Zoo for people of all ages,” said Darci Napolillo, promotions and events manager at John Ball Zoo.
“The lantern festival will feature amazing handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.”
John Ball Zoo is the first and only place in Michigan to feature the lanterns, some of which are interactive and feature light-up swings or blowing bubbles.
The festival also features themed foods and beverages, special merchandise and live entertainment from local cultural groups.
A Unique Lantern Festival for Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will feature 55 handcrafted Asian-themed lantern displays on a mile-long path through the zoo.
Constructed from metal frames and covered in fabric the lanterns are lit from inside, making them glow.
Special features like the luminescent tunnel of wisteria invite you to marvel at your surroundings.
Wisteria Tunnel at Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Shaped as animals, the lanterns will illuminate the Zoo in the evenings and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.
Every lantern festival is unique, with new themes, lighting techniques, and more customized for each location. 
A Look Inside the 2023 John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival
Interactive elements, like this human kaleidoscope lantern, add to the event’s magical charm.
This really is an event every age group can enjoy.
Ticket Prices
Tickets have been released and are now available for purchase online.
Individual general admission tickets are $22 or $19 for members.
A 4-pack admission ticket bundle is also available for $66, essentially making it a “buy 3, get one free” deal.
Children under age 2 can get in for free.
Zoo members will receive a discount on their ticket purchases.
Dates & Details for Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
The lantern festival runs April 19 – June 11, 2023 at John Ball Zoo (1300 W. Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
It will be open Wednesdays through Sundays each week from 7 – 11 pm.
Timed tickets are available in half hour increments starting at 7 pm.
To book your tickets, simply select the date you’d like to attend the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival from the zoo’s website.
Then, select your preferred 30-minute timed entry slot.
Event Tickets
Will You Attend the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival?
Let us know in the comments if you plan to go to this amazing new Grand Rapids event!
More Photos from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Is the ticket for the Lantern Festival in addition to the zoo admission?