Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has begun their Lantern Festival, which opened Nov. 8 and will run through Jan. 5.
This year’s festival is drawing crowds looking to create memories among the lanterns and larger-than-life displays.
Preparations for the Aquarium Lantern Festival began over a year ago. The aquarium partnered with Tianyu Arts and Culture, an organization that hosts lantern festivals at zoos across the world.
"We are actually the first aquarium that has been able to host this festival, because of our expansive outdoor space," Ashley Garcia, Marketing and PR Specialist at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, said.
The entire 9-acre Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza is covered in illuminated nature and animal-inspired lanterns. There are interactive displays like color-changing stomp lights, swings, bubble machines and games.
Tianyu Arts and Culture has been partnering with organizations like Loveland Living Planet Aquarium for the last 10 years to bring authentic Chinese lantern traditions to the rest of the world.
Each lantern is handmade by skilled artisans and their work spans months of design, construction and assembly.
"This is the first year we have been a part of it. Based on the success of the event so far, we are confident this will be an annual event here at the aquarium," Garcia said.
Jaren Wilcox, a Heber resident who attended the event with his family, said they enjoyed it.
“The kids loved it because they felt like they were walking through a magical world. And I love it because it gets us outside and away from screens. We really left with the best memories,” he said.
All of the lantern displays were custom-built for the aquarium throughout the year, and installation at the aquarium began in early October, Garcia said.
"We are always looking to bring new and unique experiences to our visitors, and this event is just one of many examples of how your family can create long-lasting memories and holiday traditions at the aquarium," Garcia said.
At all of the displays, there are signs for visitors to read a fun fact or two about the animal that is being represented.
"The Lantern Festival is not only visually stunning, but it’s also educational. For example, there is a giant light-up display of a Hawaiian boxer crab, which isn’t necessarily a commonly known species of crab," Garcia said.
Visitors can look forward to endless photo opportunities, hot cocoa stands, snacks for sale and the indoor Aquarium — open on select nights.
“There were so many people here this weekend, you can tell the Lantern Festival is really going to bring people together,” Wilcox said.
The Lantern Festival runs nightly through Jan. 5, 2025. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance due to high demand. Tickets can be purchased on the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium website or at the front entrance, though weekend slots often sell out.
Visitors can find more information at the aquarium website.