Asian Lantern Festival: Forest of Fantasy will come to Chattanooga Zoo

3 hours ago

WDEF News,

Unicorn immersive lantern – Asian Lantern Festival

Unicorn immersive lantern - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Ornament Tunnel – Asian Lantern Festival

Ornament Tunnel - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Icy Tree – Asian Lantern Festival

Icy Tree - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Frozen Dragon – Asian Lantern Festival

Frozen Dragon - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Fairy and Dragon – Asian Lantern Festival

Fairy and Dragon - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Enchanted snowmen – Asian Lantern Festival

Enchanted snowmen - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Asian Lantern Festival Graphic 1

Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo
Fire-breathing dragon – Asian Lantern Festival

Fire-breathing dragon - Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo

Fire-breathing dragon – Asian Lantern Festival | Courtesy: Chattanooga Zoo

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Chattanooga Zoo has announced this year’s Asian Lantern Festival theme: Forest of Fantasy.

Never-seen-before displays of gleaming fairies, mythical beasts, fire-breathing dragons and forest dwellers will be showcased along with interactive games.

“This is our fourth time hosting the Asian Lantern Festival, and I think it’s the best collection of lanterns that we’ve had so far,”

“It’s been so fun to watch the festival grow each year, and I think people of all ages will really be able to feel the magic.”

– Darde Long, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Zoo

The Asian Lantern Festival: Forest of Fantasy kicks off the evening of November 21 and runs through January 17, 2026. The festival is open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday evenings, and will also be open:

The entire week of Thanksgiving, including Thanksgiving Day (November 23-29).
The entire week of Christmas except Christmas Day (December 21-27, excluding December 25)
The entire week of New Year’s, including New Year’s Day (December 28 – January 3)

For some extra fun, the festival features special entertainment on certain dates only:

November 21 and 22: The Chien Hong School of Kung Fu will perform a traditional lion dance at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each night.
November 21 and 22: Make your own lantern from 5:30-8:30 p.m. or while supplies last. The craft is provided by Chick-fil-A, the presenting sponsor of the Asian Lantern Festival: Forest of Fantasy.
December 12, 13, 19 and 20: Take pictures with Santa Claus in the education building until 8 p.m. Bring your own device to snap a photo!
January 16 and 17: Elsa and Anna from “Frozen” will be in the education building from 6-9 p.m. for photos and meet and greets, courtesy of Magic Lamp Entertainment.

Festival Zoo tickets are $23.50 for adults and $17.50 for children ages 3-12.

For Zoo members, tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for children ages 3-12.

All children under 2 are free.

Holiday Party packages are also available allowing up to 40 guests to have free admission and access to a private event area.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit https://www.chattzoo.org/events/alf.