PHOTO VIA CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild is returning to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Website) on November 14, running on select nights through January 18, 2026. This will be the sixth edition of the festival, which has become one of the region’s signature holiday-season events.
Visitors will walk a three-quarter-mile pathway lined with more than 50 larger-than-life handcrafted lantern sculptures lit by thousands of LED lights. The displays depict animals, natural landscapes, and mythic creatures, paired with immersive soundscapes. Seasonal food, beverages, and artisan crafts are also available along the route, including some pretty great hot chocolate, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Tickets must be purchased in advance for specific entry times at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., or 8 p.m., and guests may stay until the 10 p.m. closing time. Walk-up purchases are not allowed, and nights often sell out due to limited capacity. Special sensory-friendly nights will also be offered on December 3 and January 13 to accommodate individuals and families with sensory sensitivities or special needs.
