GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Colorful lights, foods and entertainment enter John Ball Zoo Wednesday as the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival begins. On Tuesday, media invited to preview the show. It ...

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In its second year, the festival is open to the public from April 10 through June 16.

Stella Michael walks with her children (from left) Vishwas, 8, Krupa, 2, and Sanjeev, 6, during the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — It doesn't take long to see something brand new at John Ball Zoo. The Lantern Festival begins even before you enter the main gate. "Even if you came last year to the first ...

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Featuring over 55 colorful, illuminated displays, Grand Rapids’ John Ball Zoo is about to play host to a first-of-its-kind Asian lantern festival in Michigan.

We have some music going, we have cultural entertainment happening, themed food and beverage, so it really has that festival feel to it.” The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo on … ...

John Ball Zoo says the lanterns come from Tianyu Arts & Culture, a leading Chinese lantern festival producer that promotes conservation and sustainability through its festivals.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The John Ball Zoo is hosting the third annual Lantern Festival starting Wednesday and running through June 15. Guests will have the opportunity to check out a mile ...

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — John Ball Zoo is ending this year's Lantern Festival with a completely sold-out last day and record attendance numbers. More than 110,000 guests visited last year's event.

Darci Napolillo, promotions and events manager with John Ball Zoo, said staff members visited a lantern festival put on by Tianyu Arts & Culture and worked to bring the experience to Grand Rapids.

The festival is a 10-week celebration of Asian culture and conservation, bringing intricate lanterns to the zoo. We got an inside look ahead of opening night.

The festival runs every Wednesday-Sunday, April 19 - June 11, 2023 from 7-11 p.m. Timed tickets are sold every half hour from 7-9:30 p.m. Costs are $22 for non-zoo members, $19 for zoo members.