The Memphis Zoo is getting ready to trade daylight hours for a glow-in-the-dark spectacle, with its Lantern Festival set to open Nov. 13, 2026, and run through Feb. 14, 2027. This year’s run promises an entirely new collection of illuminated displays, giving returning visitors a reason to come back even if they walked through last year’s inaugural lineup.
A Fresh Set of Lanterns for Year Two
According to Action News 5, Memphis Zoo CEO Matt Thompson said the festival returns with a completely new display and offers something new to discover. Thompson invited everyone to experience the festival, per the same report. The zoo’s own event page describes more than 60 illuminated lantern displays and walk-through tunnels as part of the new holiday experience, according to Memphis Zoo.
This marks the second year of the lantern festival at the zoo. Last year’s inaugural event, which the zoo described as its first time offering the lantern festival experience, ran on select nights from Nov. 14, 2025, through Feb. 1, 2026, the station reported at the time. That 2025-2026 edition was created in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture and also featured more than 60 larger-than-life illuminated lanterns, and it went on to earn a nomination for Best Zoo Lights in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Hours, Tickets and What's Changing This Year
The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each night it’s open, with last entry at 8:30 p.m., per the zoo’s lantern festival page. Tickets are available online only at the zoo’s website, and quantities are limited, the zoo notes on its visit details page. Children 23 months and younger may attend at no charge, while everyone age 2 and up needs a ticket, and parking is included with Lantern Festival admission.
Not everything from last year is coming back, though. The ice skating rink and Ferris wheel will not be part of the Lantern Festival this year, the zoo confirms on its visit details page. Guests should also note that tickets are non-refundable and are only valid for the date selected, so plans will need to be locked in ahead of a visit.
Mixed Signals on Rides and Attractions
There’s some inconsistency in how the zoo describes its on-site attractions this season. The festival’s main event page states that the Farm Train, China Carousel, and the zip line will be open and available for an additional charge. The zoo’s Lantern Festival page also says the Farm Train and China Carousel are available for an additional charge, with the zip line costing $10 per ride. Attendees may want to confirm pricing directly before budgeting for extras.
For comparison, the 2025-2026 season charged $23 per person for members and $25 per person for non-members, and that prior season also included Sensory Nights on Dec. 10 and Jan. 14 designed for guests with sensory needs. Full festival details and ticket purchases are available through the zoo’s Lantern Festival webpage.
