Take a journey through ancient China and experience the Chinese art of lantern sculpture at Zoominations: A Chinese Lantern Festival at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo . Anticipated to be one of the largest lantern festivals in the US, this one-of-a-kind illuminating experience will feature 30 illuminated scenes, performances by Chinese acrobats, and an artisan market with unique handmade crafts.
The Zoominations festival is a celebration of the Chinese lantern which goes back to Ancient Chinese History. In China, the Lantern Festival marks the culmination of the Chinese New Year and symbolizes the wish for a bright future. A team of over 40 craftsman from the Zigong village in China, the birthplace of the Chinese lantern festival, came from China to the Zoo to construct the dazzling array of lighted structures throughout the 26 acre park.
Zoominations, a nighttime event, makes its debut on February 28th and will remain open until May 31st.
Utilizing millions of LED lights and lanterns, East meets West at this stunning display that includes illuminated life size replicas of the Beijing Temple of Heaven and the Bamboo Shoot Pagoda and larger-than-life beaming dragons, rhinos, pandas, elephants, and more.
Lowry Park Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. The festival is open from 6-10 p.m. Sundays - Wednesdays and 6-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $24.95, $22.95 seniors, $19.95 ages 3-11, 2 and younger free. For more information call (813) 935-8552 or click here
