Phoenix Lantern at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things to do in Orlando during the holidays? I have found a solution. The Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo is relaxing and different. The 2023 dates for the Asian Lantern Festival are November 17, 2023 – January 14, 2024. This gives you plenty of time to check out this beautiful nighttime experience.

Just like any holiday event in Orlando, there's a right way to experience the Asian Lantern Festival, and then there's a better way.

Read on for tips to have the best date night possible at the Central Florida Zoo Asian Lantern Festival.

Flamingo Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo
Flamingo Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo – image by Dani Meyering

When To Go to the Asian Lantern Festival

If you are like my husband and me, you're pretty much booked through the month of December. This festival is really a celebration of the new year, so it runs through January 14, 2024.

If you want to go in December, I recommend getting tickets sooner than later. Like all holiday events in Central Florida, the closer you get to Christmas Day the busier it will be. January is the best time to go to avoid crowds.

When you book your tickets you select a timeslot. This is my third year attending the festival and usually, I select the 8:00 pm arrival time, which allows me to enjoy the festival until 10:00 pm.

When I first arrived it was very busy, so I hung back and relaxed in an Adirondack chair near the splash pad (which was turned off so guests could enjoy the lanterns in this area).

After about 8:20 pm the crowds had gotten ahead of me, so I was able to enjoy the lanterns without as many people around. There was hardly anyone in sight by the time 9:15 pm rolled around and I was about halfway through the lantern pathway. Selecting this last timeslot of the night seems to be a good strategy for couples who want to have fewer kids and fewer people overall around them.

You'll just need to let the initial crowd get ahead of you for about 15-20 minutes.

Cherry Blossom Walkway at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo
Cherry Blossom Walkway at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo – Dani Meyering

How To Get Around

When you arrive at the Asian Lantern Festival you will park in the free parking lot. It is dirt and grass, and the zoo itself is mostly a wooden boardwalk so I would recommend comfortable shoes, closed-toe if possible.

There is a very long walkway leading to the actual gate. The long walkway is lined with lanterns, getting you in the mood for a beautiful evening before you even walk through the gate.

You'll need your ticket either saved to your phone or printed to be scanned for entry. Once inside you'll be directed to head to the left walkway. A group of Adirondack chairs awaits. Enjoy this nice spot to relax, take in the views, and let the crowds get ahead.

a couple strolls among the Tree Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo

The lantern walkway winds through the entire zoo, though some of the smaller walkways in the center of the zoo are blocked off and not part of the festival. Crowd flow is managed by making the lantern walkway one-way. Because it is one-way it is tempting to keep walking and keep going.

I highly recommend slowing down so you can appreciate the details.

Prehistoric Animals Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo
Prehistoric Animals Lanterns at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo – image by Dani Meyering

Once you enter the walkways with fish lanterns overhead you'll be reaching the halfway point of the festival. New for 2023 is a display of dinosaur-themed and prehistoric animal lanterns. This group of lanterns marks the last portion of the festival.

Once you reach the large dragon prehistoric animals and T-rex display you'll have reached the finally.

Each year I've asked to go back over to the splash pad area, near the front because it was so crowded at the beginning. The friendly staff members have kindly obliged. In the past I decided since it was still well before 10:00pm I had time to go back through the entire walkway one more time.

If you decide to do the same please be respectful of the staff and make sure you get to the exit well before 10:00pm.

Dragon display at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo
Dragon at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo – Dani Meyering

What to Eat At The Asian Lantern Festival

The Central Florida Zoo is located near downtown Sanford. It would be tough to pass up all the wonderful date night spots in Sanford, so consider making a full night of it.

If you decide to have something to eat at the Asian Lantern Festival there are plenty of concession spots along the festival walkway, some of which serve Asian-inspired bites. The main dining location, Graze is open during the festival, usually until at least 9:00 pm each night, although it varies depending on the crowds.

S'Mores Station at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival Central Florida Zoo
S'Mores Station at 2023 Asian Lantern Festival – image by Dani Meyering

Do not miss the build-your-own S'mores station at Swirl. This snack stand is near the dinosaur-themed displays. The S'mores kits are basic with two graham crackers, a square of Hershey's chocolate bar, two marshmallows, and a stick to roast the marshmallows. Each kit is $5 – and that price has remained the same over the years!

S'Mores Station at Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo 2021 - this photo was taken at night, two square shaped firepits are in the foreground as is a long wooden rod holding two marshmallows being roasted over the fire. A green peacock asian lantern is illuminated in the background
S'Mores Station at Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo 2021

The firepits for roasting the marshmallows made for a romantic atmosphere. There are some picnic tables and you can see some of the lanterns from this spot. This is a great stop for a little romantic break before walking through the final displays of the festival.

Don't Miss the Details

During my visit I witnessed so many families rushing through the experience. Most of the couples I witnessed, however, knew to take their time.

One thing that surprised me about the lanterns is how many of them have motion. I was expecting static displays of lights. Instead, most of the lanterns feature movement, some as simple as a winking eye or a moving mouth, while other lanterns feature full movement. So take a moment and pause at each display to make sure you don't miss a thing.

There are also many displays that have overhead elements so make sure to look up.

Butterfly at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo
Butterfly at 2022 Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo – Dani Meyering

There is also relaxing Asian music played throughout the entire festival walkway. The calm tones put me at ease. Once I let the crowd get ahead of me this felt so different than the countless Christmas light displays in Orlando.

How To Get Tickets

The Central Florida Zoo Asian Lantern Festival is a separately ticketed event. Regular admission to the zoo during the day does not apply to this special event. The festival takes place on most nights, but not every night, and runs through January 14, 2024.

When purchasing your ticket you'll select a timeslot to enter and enjoy the festival. If you are an annual pass holder for the Central Florida Zoo you do receive a discount on most nights, and need to purchase your festival tickets through a special link.

Please review Central Florida Zoo's website and direct any questions directly to the staff of the zoo. Consider bringing along a light sweater, or just cozy up together and enjoy this beautiful evening.