Wed 7/8-Sun 9/20
If you’re not into dinosaurs, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has another lure in addition to its new Dinosaurs of the World exhibit of animatronic critters.
It’s bringing back its popular Asian Lantern Festival featuring all-new displays, among them a 200-foot phoenix that spans Waterfowl Lake (where the dinosaurs are, but there’s no indication that phoenixes feed on dinosaurs), a six-story pagoda and walk-through displays. It also includes live performances of dancers, jugglers and acrobats, each night, and Asian food and drink from Li Was and King Was available for purchase along with the zoo’s regular concessions.
But hurry! The Asian Lantern Festival has sold out in the past and because of social distancing, tickets are even more limited. They will also be observing one-way flow and handwashing stations, as well as recommending face masks for visitors. As of August 10, they’ve added drive-through viewings on Mondays and Tuesdays for those not comfortable in a crowd. Walk through it Wednesday through Sunday evenings through August 23, from 6:30-10:30pm. And yes, the dinosaurs are included in your ticket price so you don’t have to cover your eyes as you walk past them!
Tickets are $18 for zoo members, $20 for non-members. Same day tickets are $22, but don’t risk it — reserve them now at FutureForWildlife.org/lanterns. The exhibit has now been extended through Sunday September 20.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109-3132