To Do Today: Explore the Boston Lights Show at the Franklin Park Zoo
Immersive lantern displays illuminate the 72-acre site
Visitors can wander through an Indian-themed lantern display, complete with an ornate walk-through palace. Photo courtesy of Zoo New England
To Do Today: Explore the Boston Lights Show at the Franklin Park Zoo
Immersive lantern displays illuminate the 72-acre site
What?
The Boston Lights show at the Franklin Park Zoo.
When?
Nightly: 6 to 10:30 pm from August 2 through September 30; 5 to 10:30 pm from October 1 through November 3.
Where?
Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston.
To get there via the MBTA, there are three options: take the Orange Line or Commuter Rail to Ruggles station, then take the Route 22, 28, 29, or 45 bus to Franklin Park Zoo; or take the Orange Line or Commuter Rail to Forest Hills station, then take the Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo; or take the Red Line to Andrew station, then take the Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo.
How much?
General admission tickets are $21.95 and free for children under 2. Purchase tickets here.
Library passes are not honored, but there are discounts for members and college students in September and October.
Why should I go?
Illuminate your evening with a stroll through the Boston Lights show at the Franklin Park Zoo. After you buy a timed ticket, you can explore the 1.4-mile illuminated journey that takes about 60 to 90 minutes to complete. This year, the area has been expanded by illuminating a new corner of the zoo exclusively for Boston Lights guests. Wander through this forested realm and beyond, surrounded by lantern displays, immersive walk-throughs, enchanting interactive displays, and Instagrammable moments at every turn.
You can dive into an underwater paradise where majestic sea turtles and an awe-inspiring 115-foot octopus await, go under an ocean tunnel, or press a special button that ignites a volcanic eruption of light. The journey continues to India with lantern scenes adorned with lotus flowers, an ornate walk-through palace, and various animal lanterns, including elephants, monkeys, and rhinos. There are also traditional Chinese lanterns, the largest being the 76-foot “Kun,” an enormous fish brought to life from Chinese mythology.
Keep an eye out for the nightly Chinese classical dance performances, which last a half hour and start at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 pm. There’s also food and drinks available for purchase.
The Boston Lights show was created in collaboration with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., whose skilled artisans designed, sewed, painted, and assembled these vibrant displays.
While most animals will retire to their barns during the evening, the zoo says you might have a chance to see camels, prairie dogs, some farm animals, birds, and kangaroos.
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