Mark your calendars, as the wildly popular Grand Rapids Lantern Festival returns for its fourth year at John Ball Zoo from April 8 through June 14, 2026. The festival features dozens of large-scale, handmade lantern installations that glow and light up the night throughout the Zoo’s grounds. This year’s theme, Realms of Wonder, delivers an illuminated experience unlike anything else in Michigan.
“John Ball Zoo is thrilled to welcome our community to the fourth Grand Rapids Lantern Festival with all-new lanterns and interactive experiences,” said Darci Mitchell, Promotions & Events Manager at John Ball Zoo. “This festival beautifully celebrates the intersection of wildlife and Asian culture through a magical, immersive experience.”
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a breathtaking celebration of Chinese cultural artistry and Michigan’s only showcase of its kind. Monumental lantern sculptures—some nearly 30 feet tall—are custom-designed by master artisans working directly with the Zoo. More than 25 semi-trucks transport the installations, and a team of 10 artisans spend six weeks assembling them on-site. The glowing displays transform the Zoo into an immersive landscape of light, color, and storytelling inspired by wildlife and Chinese traditions.
The festival also features authentic cultural entertainment, including traditional performances such as face changing, artistic hula hooping, acrobatics, and more.
The lanterns are created by Tianyu Arts & Culture, a leading Chinese lantern festival producer that promotes conservation and sustainability through its festivals. These values align with John Ball Zoo’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of wild places, while providing fun, engaging, and educational experiences for guests. Crafted using traditional lantern-making techniques, the installations feature animals, plants, insects, and more in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Tickets are available online only, with guests selecting their preferred date and entry time at purchase. The festival, sponsored by Meijer, runs Wednesday through Sunday from April 8 through May 17, then Tuesday through Sunday beginning May 19. Hours are 7:30-10:30 p.m. nightly, with entry times available every half hour from 7-10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $22 and vary by day and time.
Learn more by visiting John Ball Zoo.
Courtesy of West Michigan Woman.
Photos courtesy of John Ball Zoo.
