John Ball Zoo glows with Asian Lantern Festival this spring

From April to June 2025, Grand Rapids’ John Ball Zoo will transform into an illuminated wonderland with Michigan’s Asian Lantern Festival.

As spring unfolds across West Michigan, a dazzling after-dark event is set to transform John Ball Zoo into an illuminated wonderland of art and culture. The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will light up the zoo grounds from April 9 through June 15, 2025, offering visitors an opportunity to experience this unique nighttime event that combines artistic displays with cultural celebrations.

Photo courtesy of WMrapids/Wikimedia Commons.

A Michigan exclusive

According to John Ball Zoo’s website, this marks a special Michigan distinction for the event. The zoo is described as “the first and only place” in Michigan to host these particular works of art, making it a destination event for residents across the state.

The festival showcases specially crafted Asian lantern displays throughout the zoo grounds. These displays are designed to highlight connections between wildlife and Asian cultural traditions, creating a thematic experience that differs significantly from daytime zoo visits.

For 2025, the zoo has announced that visitors can look forward to fresh additions. “This year’s festival will feature new lanterns and interactive experiences,” notes the event description.

Evening schedule and entertainment

The lantern displays will be open Wednesday through Sunday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Starting May 20, Tuesday viewings will also be available. The event utilizes a timed-entry system, with final admissions at 10:30 p.m. each evening.

Visitors can enjoy performances from several cultural groups as part of the experience, including:

• Tianyu Arts & Culture
• Pacific Island Dancers
• The Lotus Boys
• Golden Tiger Kung Fu & Extended Learning Academy

The event also features a special Forest Realm Performance, which includes narration by Phil Tower of WYCE Community Radio.

Photo courtesy of Allan Henderson/Flickr.

Visitor information

The festival requires advance ticket purchases, with entry times staggered at 30-minute intervals. The zoo recommends arriving no more than 15 minutes before your scheduled entry time. For those concerned about Michigan’s unpredictable spring weather, the zoo notes that the event will proceed “rain or shine,” so visitors may want to plan accordingly.

The zoo’s website also mentions that the festival includes various lighting effects. “The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival features twinkling lights, disco balls, and elements that move, spin, and may have strobing effects,” states the event page, which cautions those with light sensitivity.

Photo courtesy of Sergiy Galyonkin/Flickr.

Part of a busy season

The Lantern Festival is just one highlight in John Ball Zoo’s 2025 calendar. The zoo—which opened for the season on March 21 and will operate through November 23—has several other upcoming events including the Wild Strides 5K (April 22), Wildlife Exploration Days, and the West Michigan City Nature Challenge.

For those seeking a distinctive cultural experience this spring, the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival offers a creative blend of art and nature in a nocturnal setting. Advanced tickets are required, and you can find more information and make reservations at jbzoo.org.

This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The ‘Gander staff.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.