SANFORD, Fla. (September 11, 2023) — One of the most anticipated and beloved holiday events of the past few years is back for another year of magic at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
The Zoo today announced that the dazzling displays of Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild will return on select nights from November 17, 2023, to January 14, 2024. Central Florida’s favorite grocery store, Publix, will return as the festival’s presenting sponsor.
“We’re thrilled to offer those in Central Florida the opportunity to enjoy this spectacular event for a fourth time. Almost every lantern is new again this year,” said CEO Richard E. Glover, Jr. “This is a cornerstone event for us at the Central Florida Zoo, and it truly is a community event. Collaborating with Publix again makes this year’s event even more special.”
The festival features dozens of larger-than-life, hand-crafted lanterns that are lit by thousands of LED lights, resulting in a gorgeous display of color, light and sound that celebrates traditional Asian lantern festivals.
The lanterns are situated on a 3/4-mile loop around the Zoo, providing a truly unique take on a holiday lights show that will leave attendees clamoring to come back again and again with friends and family.
This is the fourth year for the festival, which started in 2019 and was not held in 2020. When the event returned, the Zoo hit capacity almost every night. With many new lanterns to join the festival this year, past attendees will have plenty to capture their senses.
“It’s exciting to return as the presenting sponsor for the Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens,” said Hannah Herring, Publix media relations manager. “We love being part of this holiday tradition with our customers, associates and the community.”
More information about the festival days and hours will be on the Zoo’s website, and tickets will go on sale to the public soon.
The festival is presented in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. For more information about the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, visit www.centralfloridazoo.org.
For high-resolution photos and video of last year’s event, click here.
