5 things to know about the Asian Lantern Festival

SANFORD, Fla. — The Asian Lantern Festival is a unique way to ring in the Christmas season, but it’s also becoming a Central Florida tradition.

1. The Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild returns to the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford.

2. After regular zoo hours, visitors can wander the three-quarter-mile pathway filled with all-new, handcrafted lantern scenes, each glowing with thousands of LED lights.

3. While the festival features traditional Chinese elements, many of the lanterns depict animals and plants, drawing inspiration from the zoo’s own residents and mission of conservation.

4. The artisans learn their skills in the birthplace of the lanterns in Southwest China, a craft often passed down through generations.

5. The Asian Lantern Festival runs all the way through Jan. 18, 2026. Tickets start at $26.99.