Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo – Spring 2024
The GR Lantern Festival is at John Ball Zoo from April 10 through Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Featuring over 50 hand-crafted Chinese lanterns, interactive displays, fun activities, and endless enchantment, it’s like nothing else in our area. Plus, 2024 features all NEW lanterns. Even if you went last year, you’ll want to visit again. Somehow, the experience is even more magical than the 2023 debut!
Be transported to a realm of magic and creativity at the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival. Things to do in the spring, like this Grand Rapids Lantern Festival, are rare in West Michigan landscape. We’re excited it’s back for another year.
Video of 2024 GR Lantern FestivalNote: Tickets went on sale in early 2024. Zoo members got first dibs at purchasing ticket and member ticket access started January 8. General Admission ticket sales opened February 5. As of April 2024, tickets are still available.
Swan Lanterns in the pond at John Ball Zoo
In this article
What to Expect at the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Get ready for a breathtaking experience for all ages. As the sun goes down, the festival comes to life every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday through June 16, 2024.
John Ball Zoo has teamed up with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. to bring this festival to Grand Rapids for its second year.
(Our city was the first and remains the only place to see these incredible works of art in Michigan.)
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.
Chinese Lantern Festival Display by Tianyu Arts & Culture
TLDR
- one-mile pathway lined with intricate lantern lights and activities
- one-of-a-kind event, unique in Michigan
- held at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, May-June
- entertainment & concessions available
- tickets required
- plan at least an hour, pay attention to time of sunset
Walking the Lantern Festival
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will feature 55 handcrafted Asian-themed lantern displays on a mile-long path through the zoo.
Walking through the entire festival takes roughly 1 – 1 ½ hours.
Many of the zoo walkways are on a gradual incline, as the zoo is built into the side of a steep hill.
The first half of the trail is a climb; the second half is the descent.
The pathways are accessible and wide.
Surfaces are either paved or boardwalks, making them suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Top of the Hill:
Walk through a shark belly, enjoy concessions, entertainment and interactive light features.
Shark Tunnel at Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Be sure to find the bubble machines.
And the light up disco dance party.
It’s all truly delightful!
You may even encounter roaming entertainment, like these Chinese Dragon performers throughout the festival.
About the Lanterns
Constructed from metal frames and covered in fabric the lanterns are lit from inside, making them glow.
Special luminescent tunnels will make you marvel at your surroundings as you walk the path.
Shaped as animals, insects and fish, the lanterns tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture as they light up the night at the zoo.
Every lantern festival is unique.
The theme and lanterns are customize toJohn Ball Zoo for this year.
Interactive, Intricate Displays
“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.
Dancing in the middle of the sidewalk? Sure, you’ll want to do it here.
The innovative dynamic projections and ground displays bring everything to life!
Step on the lily pad and see if you can take the what the puffing flower doles out.
This is fun to try and fun to watch.
Every turn reveals a new themed walkway.
We enjoyed every twist and turn of this adventure.
More interactive elements, like this human kaleidoscope lantern, add to the event’s magical charm.
Jump inside of photo ops like this shark mouth, too.
A Magical Light-Up Playground
Don’t miss the magical playground at the top of the hill.
Glowing seesaws, light-up swings, playing animal instruments or blowing bubbles make a magical playground come to life, too.
The festival also features themed foods and beverages, special merchandise and live entertainment from local cultural groups at this hilltop stop.
Food & Extras at 2024 Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo
Several concession stands fill the air with tantalizing smells when the lantern festival is in session.
Each kiosk sells different fare, so be sure to take advantage of the offerings at each stop. The pizza at the top of the hill lured our group in!
Intricate face painting is also on the menu, as are traditional Chinese souvenirs.
This really is an event every age group can enjoy.
Timing Your Lantern Festival Visit
The lanterns take on a different look as the sun sets. If it’s important to you to experience the festival under full darkness, pay attention to the timing of the sunset. When we visited on April 9, the sky was still quite bright at 8 PM but was fully dark by 9 PM.
The festival is fun no matter what the light level, but it’s good to know that timing of your tickets can impact the visual display you experience. (link to check sunset times in Grand Rapids)
festival at sunset
festival at twilight
festival after dark
Watch on Instagram
2024 Lantern Fest Ticket Prices
Tickets will soon be available to purchase online.
Member ticket access starts January 8. General Admission tickets open February 5. (Zoo members will receive a discount on their ticket purchases.)
How much do Zoo Lantern 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.
All children 2 years old and under are FREE! Children ages 3 and up will require a ticket.
Timed tickets sold every 30 minutes. Last entry at 10:30pm. Advanced tickets required.
Dates & Details
The lantern festival runs April 10 – June 16, 2024 at John Ball Zoo (1300 W. Fulton St, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
It will be open Wednesdays through Sundays each week from 7:30 – 11:30 PM.
Timed tickets are available in half-hour increments starting at 7:30 pm. Last entry at 10:30pm. 
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
Zoo Lights FAQS
Do I have to purchase tickets online in advance?
It’s recommended that patrons purchase tickets online ahead of time to ensure an available ticket at your preferred entry time. Tickets may be purchased onsite if entry time capacity is still available. The ticket booth is open every night and the Lantern Festival runs from 7:30-10:30 PM.
Do I only get to enjoy the festival for my ticket time slot?
Entry times are staggered to ensure an enjoyable guest experience. Once you’ve entered the event you can enjoy it at your own pace. You can stay until the festival closes for the evening if you’d like.
Are the animals visible during the Lantern Festival?
Animals will not be viewable on the Lantern Festival route at night. For the animals’ safety, they are kept on their typical nightly routine and for most of them, that means that they are in their indoor habitats for the night.
If I am a member at a Zoo that provides a reciprocal discount for Daily Tickets, does that mean I also get a discount on the Lantern Festival?
It does not. Discounts are only available to those who are members at John Ball Zoo.
Do you issue refunds if the weather is bad?
The Lantern Festival will operate rain or shine. Refunds are not offered for any tickets purchased. If necessary, tickets can be moved to an alternate date. To do that, please email [email protected], provide the Booking ID on your tickets and the alternate date you would like to move to.
*There is no guarantee that you will be able to move your tickets if the alternate date you are requesting is full.
Is there food?
Several food options are provided throughout the park during the festival.
How long does it take to walk through the whole zoo lights tour?
It takes roughly 1 – 1 ½ hours to walk through the entire Festival.
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 2024 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
Loved the event last year (I went twice) and I plan to go again this year!!
Is the ticket for the Lantern Festival in addition to the zoo admission?