See dazzling video of colorful Asian lantern festival at John Ball Zoo

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo is promoted as a “breathtaking experience for all ages,” featuring handcrafted Asian lantern displays that illuminate the zoo.

The festival, featuring 55 lantern installations that span a 1-mile path through the zoo, is the first of its kind in Michigan. The new experience opened to the public on Wednesday, April 19. tonight at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday evening, the zoo put on a dazzling show for the media of what the general public can expect when they visit to learn the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.

Related: ‘Amazingly beautiful’ Grand Rapids Lantern Festival now open to the public

MLive was there to capture video and images of the giant lantern sculptures ranging from a dragon to a giant butterfly-filled tree as part of a media preview. Some of the sculptures are interactive, with blowing bubbles and blinking eyeballs.

Several of the lantern sculptures are placed directly next to their live counterparts, like the tigers, snowy owls and frogs.

Members of Lotus Boyz GR, including Ky Nguyen, Benny La, Steven Ngo, Anthony Tran, Alvin Ly and Huy Pham, were putting on performances, such as the Chinese lion dance, and interacting with the zoo’s crowd.

The lion dancers will return on May 20 and during Memorial Day weekend.

“The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a totally new experience,” Darci Napolillo, John Ball Zoo promotions and events manager, told MLive about visitors learning more about Asian culture and wildlife. “These are amazingly beautiful during the day and even better at night.”

The lantern festival is open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday until June 11. Individual tickets are $22 and sold in half-hour timed slots starting at 7 p.m. Ticket details can be found here.

Grand Rapids siblings (from left) Chase, 11, Blake, 6, and Easton Vriezema, 8, explore the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. The festival features 55 lantern installations that span a 1-mile path. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

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. Michael is the chair of West Michigan Asian American Association. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Grand Rapids residents Taryn Redd and Seth Gibas explore the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Members of Lotus Boyz GR, including Ky Nguyen, Benny La, Steven Ngo, Anthony Tran, Alvin Ly and Huy Pham, pose for pictures during the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com

Scenes from the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.Cory Morse | MLive.com

Click into the gallery below to see more photos of Grand Rapids Lantern Festival.

More on MLive:

See inside $630K home in a highly-sought after Kent County neighborhood

He had leg amputated, 4 tourniquets after crash: ‘I’m still here’

A target of death threats, Peter Meijer says political violence is abhorrent toward democratic process

‘I feel terrible,’ MillerKnoll CEO says after employee bonus rant goes viral

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.