TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR ILLUMINIGHTS AT THE ZOO

Chinese Lantern Festival returns for the holiday season, with the splendors of nature in lights

ATLANTA – September 22, 2022 – An extraordinary visual celebration of the wonders of the natural world returns this holiday season with the second year of IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival presented by Georgia Power. Tickets are now on sale for the experience, which opens to the public on November 21, 2022.

Zoo Atlanta has partnered with Hanart Culture to bring IllumiNights back to Atlanta. The lantern festival, which made its debut at the Zoo in 2021 to highly positive reviews, presents a nighttime wonderland full of awe-inspiring vistas celebrating the inspirations of nature. After dark, guests will explore more than 80 lanterns representing flora and fauna, both real and imagined – some life-sized, and others larger-than-life. Each lantern is made and hand-painted by artisans, representing thousands of hours of work. In keeping with Zoo Atlanta’s commitment to sustainability, each lantern also features environmentally friendly LED lights.

“We are thrilled to bring this special opportunity back to Atlanta for another year. IllumiNights is completely unlike any other holiday experience in our city,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO. “The holiday season always brings us cause for reflection on that which is nearest and dearest to us. At Zoo Atlanta, we present the wonders of the wild – in stunning lights and works of art that will capture the imaginations of all ages.”

Zoo Atlanta Members will enjoy an exclusive preview from November 17 through 20, 2022. Following its public opening on November 21, IllumiNights will continue through Sunday, January 15, 2023. The experience will be open from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly with the exception of select dates, including Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Capacity is limited, and advance timed reservations are strongly recommended.

IllumiNights is a separate ticketed event and is not included in regular daytime general admission. Learn more and reserve tickets here on zooatlanta.org.  

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812 – office
404.309.2238 – cell

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations and Communications Specialist
404.624.5980 – office
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org

ABOUT:
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include giant pandas, including Ya Lun and Xi Lun, the only giant panda twins in the U.S.; one of North America’s largest zoological populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include the African Savanna, featuring new and expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; Savanna Hall, a state-of-the-art special event destination in the newly restored historic former home of the Atlanta Cyclorama; and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation Plaza. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.