Zoo Atlanta cancels holiday lantern festival

Zoo Atlanta has canceled its 2026 IllumiNights lantern festival.

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“Zoo Atlanta is disappointed to announce the cancelation of its 2026 lantern festival, IllumiNights presented by Georgia Power, due to challenges affecting the IllumiNights event partner, Hanart Culture,” the organization stated.

The festival began in 2021, featuring intricate lantern displays throughout the zoo. The installations require specialized work by Hanart Culture’s team of artisans, who travel from China each year to construct and install the displays.

Hanart Culture informed zoo officials this year that it was unable to bring its artisans to Atlanta to complete the work.

Zoo Atlanta stated it searched for alternatives before making the decision to cancel.

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“Despite exhausting all efforts, we were unable to find a solution that would allow us to present the festival this season at the level of quality our guests have come to expect,” the zoo said.

The event’s sponsors include presenting sponsor Georgia Power and beacon sponsor Huntington Bank.

Zoo Atlanta remains open daily for daytime general admission throughout the holiday season, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Zoo Atlanta will contact all ticketholders directly to arrange for a refund or return visit.

“We appreciate everyone in our community who has supported this event, and we apologize for any inconveniences or disruption to holiday plans or traditions,” the organization said.

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