Ohio zoo hosting Asian Lantern Festival this summer Share Updated: 5:14 PM EDT Jun 15, 2021 WLWT Digital Staff The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Share Updated: 5:14 PM EDT Jun 15, 2021 WLWT Digital Staff WLWT Digital Staff Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is bringing back its Asian Lantern Festival this year.The festival will feature more than 70 large-scale displays with over 1,000 new illuminated lanterns, live acrobatic performances and culturally inspired cuisine. The live performances will include foot juggling, contortion, martial arts and more.New giant lanterns at the festival this year will include a four-story Taj Mahal and walk-through experiences including Python Tunnel, Chinese Dragon and Wisteria Corridor.The event will kick off on July 14 and go through Sept. 5. It runs for a limited time and will be held after-hours on Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.“Asian Lantern Festival has become a summer staple in Cleveland, drawing over 150,000 guests each year to experience the wonder of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after dark,” Cleveland Metroparks chief marketing officer Kelly Manderfield said. “We’re thankful for the tremendous support of Meijer to help bring an all-new festival, with new lanterns, performances and experiences in the event’s fourth year.”Last year, guests experienced the Asian Lantern Festival from the comfort of their car due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, in addition to the walk-through experiences Thursdays through Sundays, the zoo will offer a limited number of drive-thru opportunities on Wednesday nights for people who wish to enjoy the festival from their cars. Click here to learn more or purchase tickets.