Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo
Visitors stroll along an outdoor walking trail featuring more than 30 handcrafted lantern displays illuminated by thousands of LED lights. The larger-than-life sculptures depict North American wildlife, celestial space wonders, and traditional creatures from Chinese folklore. Attendees can also browse authentic artisan crafts, listen to live music, and purchase seasonal food and drinks.
Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027 All ages
See more Christmas lights near Sanford
Plan Your Visit
Neighborhood
Historic Downtown Sanford
Food & Drink
Seasonal food and drink offerings, including local food and beverage options, are available for purchase during the festival.
Parking
Entry capacities are set to support available parking.
Accessibility
Manual wheelchairs are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Buy tickets online in advance for a specific 6, 7, or 8 p.m. entry slot; popular nights can sell out.
- Arrive on your selected date and time, and enter by 9:15 p.m.; late admission is not allowed.
- Allow about one to one and a half hours for the three-quarter-mile route, with extra time if you want another loop.
- Dress for changing weather and be prepared to walk outdoors; the festival runs rain or shine, with no refunds or date exchanges.
- If you need a manual wheelchair, note that rentals are first come, first served.
Special Events & Promotions
- Children ages 2 and under enter free.
- Annual passholders save when buying a Family 4-Pack.
- Groups of 15 or more may receive a ticket discount.
- Sensory-friendly nights with modified, lower-intensity programming are December 1 and January 12.
- Adults-only nights (21+) are December 10 and January 5.
Links & Contact
Run by Central Florida Tours & Events, LLC
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the festival suitable for?
It is described as suitable for guests of all ages; there are also Adults-Only Nights for guests aged 21 and over.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Yes. Tickets are only sold online for a selected date and entry slot, and walk-up tickets are not available. Sold-out dates are truly sold out.
What can visitors see and do along the festival route?
The outdoor, three-quarter-mile walking path has more than 30 illuminated lantern displays, live music, authentic artisan crafts and seasonal food and drinks. Zoo animals are not on view.
Is food available, and can guests walk the route more than once?
Food and beverages are available to purchase. Guests may walk the path more than once, and most groups take about one to one and a half hours to see it.
Are wheelchairs available for the walking route?
Manual wheelchairs are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis.
Browse Christmas in Sanford
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.