CLEVELAND — It’s baaaaack!
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is resurrecting its popular Asian Lantern Festival again this summer.
The Asian Lantern Festival, which is an after-hours event featuring hundreds of illuminated lanterns, will run Thursday through Sunday evenings 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 20 through July 28.
The festival is bringing all new lantern displays this year including a walk-through 100-foot-long shark tunnel, a 30-foot-tall giant panda, interactive moon swings and stepping stones and an expansive display of Chinese pagodas.
Zoo officials say last year’s Asian Lantern Festival broke U.S. and international attendance records for lighting events of its kind, with more than 150,000 guests.
“The Asian Lantern Festival is returning bigger than ever with all-new displays, additional live performances and an enhanced offering of culturally-inspired cuisine," said Cleveland Metroparks Chief Marketing Officer Kelly Manderfield.
The discounted cost for Zoo members is $15.50 and $18.50 for non-members, or a 4-pack for $50. Tickets can be purchased same-day at the box office for $20.50 each or a 4-pack for $60. Children under 2 are admitted for free.
Single night tickets and a family four-pack are on sale now at futureforwildlife.org/lanterns.
“We are thankful to Cleveland Clinic Children’s for their continued partnership, making it possible to once again offer this truly unique experience to the community," Manderfield said.