Asian Lantern Festival Brightens Cleveland Zoo With Food and Flavor

The Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo lights up the night with vibrant lanterns, specialty eats, and culture galore.

If you’re hunting for total spectacle and mouthwatering bites in Cleveland this summer, look no further than the Asian Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. This year’s event has everything: larger-than-life lanterns, sizzling Asian street food, and night strolls designed for both locals and wanderers who crave more than just a trip to the zoo.

What’s the Asian Lantern Festival All About?

Picture this: thousands of artfully lit paper lanterns stretched across zoo paths, each one brighter and more elaborate than your neighbor’s holiday lights. The festival isn’t just about snapping the perfect selfie—it's a showcase of Asian art, culture, and flavor.

Over 70 spectacular lantern displays—including 40-foot dragons and mythical creatures
Open-air, after-dark access to select parts of the zoo
A festive, family-friendly summer vibe that’s anything but basic

Where to Find the Food (and What to Try)

Sure, the luminous giraffes are a must-see, but everybody knows Clevelanders show up for the food. This year, the Asian food court brings the heat—and the sweet—with a handpicked lineup of vendors serving:

Bubble tea (because hydration, but make it Instagram-worthy)
Bao buns and dumplings (steamed and stuffed just right)
Crispy egg rolls
Korean BBQ skewers
Spicy Sichuan noodles and more

Whether you’re a chopstick pro or just here for the fortune cookies, you’ll leave full, happy, and probably plotting your next foodie weekend.

When and How to Experience the Festival

Mark your calendars: the festival glows up every night from 6:30–10:30 p.m., running through August 23. It’s a timed-ticket situation, so don’t roll up without snagging your spot online first. Here’s the basic rundown:

Location: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way
Runs through August 23
Hours: 6:30–10:30 p.m. nightly (pro tip: go later for maximum lantern drama)
Tickets: Available online only; check for family packs and member deals

Why It Matters—And Why It’s So Cleveland

The Asian Lantern Festival isn’t just an excuse for killer photos or an extra zoo night. It’s become a summer tradition that fuses art, food, and community, right in the heart of CLE. Every year, the food lineup grows a little more adventurous, reflecting our city’s quietly thriving Asian food scene.

Where else can you walk beside a herd of glowing tigers, slurp noodles, and support local vendors all in one night? If you’re looking to switch up your usual happy hour or impress out-of-town guests, this is peak Cleveland culture—vibrant, surprising, and firmly un-corporate.

Insider Tips for Lantern Festival First-Timers

Park early—weekend evenings get slammed
Burn off those dumplings with a walk up to the zoo’s highest lantern displays
Eat first, snap photos later (lines grow later in the evening)
Bring your own chopsticks if you’re a sustainability nerd

Whether you’re chasing your next favorite snack or need a little romance under the lights, the Asian Lantern Festival is as dazzling as summer nights get in CLE. Grab your friends, charge your phone, and bring your appetite.

Don’t wait—the lanterns are only here through August 23. Your next after-dark adventure (and a plate of bao) are waiting in Old Brooklyn.