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The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo is a breathtaking experience of light and wonder: a one-mile tour along a path illuminated by handcrafted Asian lantern displays that tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture. This is the only place you can see these incredible works of art in Michigan.
This is the third year the Zoo is hosting the Lantern Festival. Even if youve seen it before, you need to come again because this years event features new lanterns and interactive events!
Dates and Times
The Festival runs from April 8 - June 14. Later hours provide the most dramatic lighting effects against the night sky, but earlier hours might be better for young families (and the lighted lanterns are still dazzling in daylight). Plan on taking 60-90 minutes to get through the entire Festival.
Food options are available during the Festival. Note that animals will not be viewable on the Lantern Festival route at night for safety, they must be kept to their nightly routine and the event will go on rain or shine.
About John Ball Zoo
One of the five most attended cultural facilities in Michigan, John Ball Zoo is a classic urban zoo just five minutes from downtown Grand Rapids. The Zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals representing 220 distinct species along with more animal-touching exhibits than any other Michigan zoo.
If youre coming for the Lantern Festival, make a day of it so you can greet the newest additions to the Zoo lions Amaro and Upepo, a male-and-female pair who arrived in March to take their place alongside John Balls other big cats. Get up close to the animals on guided tours and behind-the-scenes experiences. Tackle the Sky Trails Ropes Course, ride the Zip Line, climb aboard a camel, take a virtual reality gorilla trek and more.
The Zoo and the Lantern Festival require separate admission tickets. Plan your animal adventures for the day of your Festival visit you can enjoy dinner in between at an around-the-corner West Fulton Street restaurant or at any of downtowns 180+ eateries. Or check in to one of 13 downtown hotels before you attend the Festival, then get a good nights sleep and head back to the Zoo the next morning!
Make it a Grand Getaway
Grand Rapids is filled with fun and exciting things to do for all ages thats why CNN named us one of Americas 10 Best Towns to Visit in 2024. Check out some of our cool Spring Activities and Summer Activities to plan an itinerary around your visit.
This is also a great time to explore our Grand Outdoors, including Millennium Park, which offers 18 miles of hiking and biking trails, a six-acre swimming beach, award-winning splashpad, boat rentals and more, all just five minutes from the Zoo.
After a day on the trail or the water, spend the night on the town at downtown GR restaurants, breweries, bars, live music venues, performing arts theaters, comedy clubs, nightclubs and more!
Getting There
John Ball Zoo is located just off the 1-96 expressway and is a five-minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids. Zoo parking is plentiful and free. If youre staying downtown, you can take The Rapid Bus Route 12 the Garfield Avenue station is a five-minute walk from the zoo.
Check out the 2024 Grand Rapids Lantern Festival Reel here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5rMv4Oph0h/