Franklin Park Zoo Festival of Lights 2025 in Boston

Festival of Lights, also known as Boston Lights, is the annual show taking place at Franklin Park Zoo. Every year, the Zoo is illuminated with sparkling lanterns, which include returning favorites and new additions. Scheduled to run from August 2 to November 3, 2024, this event promises to be bigger and brighter than ever before.

Hours

The Festival of Lights at Franklin Park Zoo operates from 6 pm to 10:30 pm from August 2 to September 30 and from 5 pm to 10:30 pm from October 1 to November 3. Visitors should note that the last entry is at 9:30 pm to ensure ample time to enjoy the dazzling displays.

Activities and Attractions

Visitors can explore a variety of themed displays throughout the zoo's 72 acres. According to the organizers, new attractions for this year include an expanded area with all-new lantern displays. Highlights include a luminous rainforest, an underwater paradise that features a 115-foot (35m) octopus, and a volcanic light eruption that can be activated with a touch. There are also themed zones, such as an Indian lantern scene adorned with lotus flowers and a walk-through palace, as well as traditional Chinese lanterns, including a 76-foot (23m) "Kun" fish from Chinese mythology. Additionally, nightly performances of Chinese classical dance, including the Umbrella Dance and Fan Dance, will be featured, showcasing the elegance and cultural heritage of this ancient art form.

Tickets and Parking

Tickets for the Festival of Lights vary depending on the type and timing of the purchase. General admission tickets for non-members are available for $19.95-$21.95, with special discounts for groups and college students on select days. VIP tickets, which allow entry on any evening at any time, are a new offering this year. Children under two years old can enter for free. Parking at Franklin Park Zoo is free, with both Zebra and Giraffe entrances accessible. Valet parking is available for $20 per car on a first-come, first-served basis.

Franklin Park Zoo

Zoo New England, a private, non-profit organization, manages and operates Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Dedicated to inspiring the public to protect and sustain the natural world, Zoo New England integrates wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education into engaging experiences. Franklin Park Zoo, a 72-acre site in Boston's historic Franklin Park, has been a community treasure since 1912.