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Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience at Franklin Park Zoo

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Venue:Franklin Park Zoo - Zoo New England
Dates:Friday, August 4, 2023 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Hours:Hours Vary see below
Ages:Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:Outdoor
Cost:$$ see below
Category:Special Events

boston lights a lantern experience at franklin park zoo photoFor the final weekend of Boston Lights, (October 27 - 29), Franklin Park Zoo is combining character meet-and-greets with enchanted dreams! Traverse a mythical land featuring an ice-breathing dragon and other fantastical creatures – guests can come face to face with another fairy-tale favorite: the Snow Princesses!

The Snow Princesses will be available from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. closing weekend near the mythical-themed lanterns. Guests can take a picture with one of the costumed animal mascots, who will be stationed near the Zebra entrance. Be sure to keep an eye out for the LED dancer with a performance you don’t want to miss!

Boston Lights will once again illuminate Franklin Park Zoo with sparkling new lantern additions, plus a few returning favorites!

Experience the wonder of over 55 magnificent displays comprised of hundreds of beautifully crafted lanterns spanning Franklin Park Zoo's 72 acres.

This marks the fourth year of the lantern experience, and this summer’s presentation will be unlike anything guests have seen before with Instagrammable moments at every turn.

Spanning the 72-acres of Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Lights will feature a dazzling array of all-new lanterns in an experience that will impress and delight visitors of all ages.

Discover an icy mythical land featuring an ice-breathing dragon and more fantastical creatures before you journey to ancient Egypt where you will discover pyramids, a 13- foot sphinx and incredible wildlife who have called this part of the world home.

Explore the coral reef through an underwater adventure featuring marine life from Down Under, and experience the rich cultural heritage of China through traditional lantern scenes including a 197-foot-long display featuring pagodas, cranes, lotuses and flowers, as well as an 82-foot-long walk-through dragon tunnel.

Luminous animal and ocean scenes, traditional Asian lantern displays, a stunning 164-foot-long phoenix, and more will light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages!

Spanning the 72 acres of Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Lights will impress visitors of all ages with more than 50 large scale displays comprised of hundreds of colorful lanterns.



Featuring stunning, dramatic entrance arches, a walk-through 66-foot-long shark tunnel, a 26-foot-tall giant panda, a 197-foot-long dragon, whimsical ocean scenes, vibrant flowers, traditional Asian lantern scenes and much more, the whole experience is sure to dazzle and delight.

Boston Lights will also shine a light on the importance of conserving the incredible biodiversity on our planet. From snow leopards to Panamanian golden frogs to the local Blanding’s turtles, each species plays a role in healthy ecosystems.

Visitors to Boston Lights will have the opportunity to learn more about our commitment to conservation and ways that they can participate in wildlife and habitat preservation. All of the lanterns are illuminated with energy saving LED light.

Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience at Franklin Park Zoo opens on August 4 and runs nightly through October 29, 2023. The hours are 6:00 to 10:30 p.m.

If animals are your thing, you can find more zoos near Boston in our handy guide. There are also a good number of Petting Zoos near Boston that allow for close-up interaction with all sorts of animals.

For more Boston events, visit our events calendar to find fun things to do in Boston all year round.

Find more pumpkin festivals and jack-o-lantern displays near you in our helpful guide to fall family fun.

HOURS↑ top

Timed tickets from 6:00 - 10:30 p.m
August 4 - October 29, Nightly


COST↑ top

Purchase Tickets Non-member $28 Non-member 4 pack $96 Children under 2 are free

WEBSITE↑ top

www.zoonewengland.org/engage/boston-lights/

LOCATION↑ top

One Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA map
Phone: 617-541-5466

For the full schedule as well as ticket prices, visit www.franklinparkzoo.org. With Plan Ahead Pricing, you can pick the day, time and price that best works for you. The earlier you purchase tickets, the more you will save. Online advance ticket purchase is required for Boston Lights. To ensure that you can reserve the day, time and price that works best for you, we encourage guests to purchase tickets early. Attending with friends and family? The 4-pack ticket options are a great value!

TIPS↑ top

  • Find lots more Things to Do in Boston in our handy guide to family fun! Whether you are visiting or a local, we've got all sorts of great ideas and hidden gems.
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