Lighting Up the New Year
The Zoo but New
Memphis knows our zoo is the best. We have beautiful exhibits, well loved animals, consistently upgraded habitats, and a dedicated staff that keeps our zoo among the top five in the country (we rank #2 as of 2024!). And for twenty years, Memphis Zoo Lights has kept the Christmas season festive with tried and true programming, millions of twinkle lights, an ice rink, and the perfect way to spend a cool December evening. But this year, the Memphis Zoo Lights have leveled up to become the Memphis Lantern Festival. Transforming the entire zoo into one huge lantern display complete with fantastic photo opportunities, a zip line perspective, and interactive exhibits, the festival is bringing more excitement, color, and enchantment to winter in Memphis than ever before.
An Evening that Dazzles
From the front gate of the zoo, the festival nods to present day Memphis with an ancient Egyptian display. From the dazzling pyramid to the illuminated Sphinx, Memphians are reminded of their roots as a River City. The Memphis Lantern Festival features 60 larger than life animal lanterns and dozens of illuminated displays to walk through and enjoy. You may find yourself strolling beneath dazzling lilypads or marveling at a sparkling wheat set around a huge lit up buffalo. You may lose yourself in one of the four shimmering tunnels or marveling over the winged peacock or the fierce, golden lion mid-roar. Sparkling fireworks effects and interactive displays that respond when you speak will keep everyone from little ones to older folks mesmerized.
And there’s no lack of fun things to do. Whether you take an evening ride on the new zoo zipline for an aerial view of the lights or try the exciting new concession items (Nutty Squirrell Cocktail, anyone?), you’ll enjoy every step along the brightened paths of the property. Zoo favorites like the tram, China Carousel, and Farm Train are included in your ticket and will be operating all throughout the evening.
Hosting friends and family post Christmas? The zoo has you covered all through the dark days of January since another update to the annual event is its extended schedule. The festival will run through February 1st every Thursday through Sunday night from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Need a less stimulating evening? The zoo will host a Sensory Night January 14th for folks who need a calmer experience. Tickets for all nights are available online and must be purchased in advance.
From the rave reviews pouring in already, one can assume that the Memphis Lantern Festival will become an annual tradition for the Mid-South. Don’t miss its inaugural year as a holiday thrill…start making your lantern memories one night very soon!