The Asian Lantern Festival at The Chattanooga Zoo
All this week… Tune in to The Afternoon Show with Gino D and win tickets to the beloved Asian Lantern Festival returning to The Chattanooga Zoo this holiday season!
The Asian Lantern Festival is offering visitors an enchanting experience from November 21, 2025, through January 17, 2026.
The festival opens its gates each evening from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with additional special dates around the holidays.
This year’s festival features an entirely new collection of hand-crafted silk lanterns, creating a mesmerizing display of hundreds of glowing sculptures. As guests stroll through the zoo’s nighttime pathways, they’ll encounter towering lanterns reaching up to 26 feet, including majestic dragons, mythical beasts, fairies, woodland creatures, and even a whimsical unicorn.
The highlight of the festival is the Forest of Fantasy section, where larger-than-life dragons breathe fire, and legendary beings come to life amidst shimmering landscapes. Children and adults alike can explore scenes filled with snow-covered woods, enchanted creatures, and Santa Claus in his workshop, adding a festive holiday cheer to the experience.
To make the season even more special, the festival will be open during select dates around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s:
– All week of Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-29), including Thanksgiving Day
– The entire week of Christmas (Dec. 21-27), excluding Christmas Day
– The week of New Year’s (Dec. 28-Jan. 3)
Additional festive events include:
– Live Kung Fu lion dance performances by the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu on November 21st and 22nd
– Lantern craft-making sessions presented by Chick-fil-A on the same evenings
– Tuba Christmas concert featuring local musicians playing holiday classics on November 30th
– Meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, available on December 12th, 13th, 19th, and 20th
– Special appearances by Elsa and Anna on January 16th and 17th, offering photos and meet-and-greets
Beyond the stunning lantern displays, visitors can enjoy interactive games, moving and shimmering lanterns that change colors, fog effects, and musical performances. The festival also features exclusive merchandise, including event shirts, glowing toys, plush animals, and souvenir cups.
The Asian Lantern Festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the zoo after hours, creating magical memories for families, couples, and friends during this festive season.
Tickets and additional information are available at CHATTZOO.ORG
Don’t miss out on this dazzling winter tradition that brings the magic of Asian culture and holiday cheer to Chattanooga!
SOURCE: Chattanooga Zoo
