The Potawatomi Zoo is opening on March 19 for a thrilling new Chinese lantern event: Zoo Luminate. Zoo Luminate will be open Wednesday through Sunday each week, 6-10 pm, through May 25.

“We’re so proud to bring this brand-new event to our region,” says Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo. “It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen here at the Zoo, and we think it’s something people are never going to forget.”

This unique event is $20 for adults and $15 for children. Zoo Members can receive discounted admission of $18 for adults and $13 for children at the gate. Babies 2 and under are free. A discounted ticket four-pack of two adult tickets and two child tickets is also available for $60. Online ticketing will be available starting March 1.

The Zoo train and carousel will be available during Zoo Luminate, weather permitting. Tickets are $3 per person. Giraffe feeding will not be available during this event.

Concessions and the bar in The Lodge will be open. Drinks, snacks, and adult beverages will be available at the Farmhouse Café near the red barn.

“It’s hard to describe how spectacular these lanterns really are,” says Sisk. “Even we were astonished when Tianyu began setting up giant pandas, tigers, giraffes, and so much more. There are almost 60 different displays around the Zoo. You really have to see it to believe it!”

The Zoo Gift Shop will be open during Zoo Luminate.

Zoo Luminate is brought to life at the Zoo in partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture.

Many thanks to Zoo Luminate sponsors Visit South Bend Mishawaka, WSBT, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, and MacAllister Rentals.

To learn more, visit //www.potawatomizoo.org/zooluminate.

The Zoo opens for the season on March 28 for regular hours of 10 am to 5 pm.