Grand Rapids Lantern Festival this week
- Nighttime lantern festival featuring illuminated installations, performances, and family activities. - Runs April 20–26, 2026 with evening sessions during the week (this week). - Held in Grand Rapids; details and schedule at exploremichigan.travel
Grand Rapids’ lantern festival is running this week at John Ball Zoo, with illuminated displays and evening entry continuing through Sunday, June 14. (jbzoo.org) The 2026 event opened April 8 and is scheduled Wednesdays through Sundays from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. through May 17, before shifting to Tuesdays through Sundays starting May 19. John Ball Zoo lists the festival at 1300 West Fulton Street in Grand Rapids. (jbzoo.org) Experience Grand Rapids describes it as a one-mile walk lined with handcrafted Asian lantern displays that connect wildlife themes with Asian culture. The tourism listing says tickets start at $22 and the zoo is hosting the festival for a fourth year. (experiencegr.com) This year’s theme is “Realms of Wonder,” and WGVU reported April 8 that the 2026 edition includes immersive installations built around that concept. Fox 17 reported the same week that visitors would find three newly featured glowing realms this season. (wgvunews.org) (fox17online.com) John Ball Zoo says the festival is back in 2026 with tickets sold online, and local family guides report new lanterns and interactive displays for this year’s run. GR Kids said the event is designed for all ages and that entertainment and concessions are part of the evening setup. (jbzoo.org) (grkids.com) The event has become one of the zoo’s biggest spring draws. WGVU reported that more than 145,000 people attended last year’s festival from across Michigan. (wgvunews.org) Explore Michigan’s statewide events calendar lists the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival from April 8 to June 14, placing it among West Michigan’s larger spring tourism events. That means the festival is active now on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with more evening sessions ahead this weekend. (exploremichigan.travel) For visitors planning a trip this week, the key details are simple: go after dark, expect a timed evening visit, and buy ahead. The lights stay on in Grand Rapids through mid-June, but this week’s window runs Thursday through Sunday. (jbzoo.org)
