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Glow Wild Lantern Festival Lights Up Peoria Zoo with Family Fun and

a Taste of Chinese Culture 

Kaleido Entertainment, together with Peoria Park District, presents a dazzling wonderland of light and Chinese culture, running March 1 through April 27, providing fun for the whole family at Peoria Zoo.

PEORIA, IL (February 14, 2025) –The Glow Wild festival is illuminating Peoria Zoo starting this March, creating a must-see display of electrifying handmade, traditional Chinese lanterns. Opening March 1 and running through April 27 at Peoria Zoo, guests of all ages can experience the festival’s unique luminescent night walk, bringing culture and craftsmanship for all. Tickets are on sale now.  


Location details include: 

  • Location: Peoria Zoo - 2320 N. Prospect Rd. Peoria, IL 61603
  • Days: Friday - Sunday - March 1 through April 27, 2025
  • Times: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., with last entrance at 8:00 p.m. 

 

Already known for family fun and educational experiences, Peoria Zoo is the perfect setting for Glow Wild lantern festival. Guests will enter and wander through a mesmerizing photo-worthy experience. Each unique piece holds a story of its own with depictions of Chinese legends and lore, as well as the beauty of nature. Modern LED lights are combined with traditional hand-crafted lantern frames made from small pieces of Chinese silk cloth and steel wire.  

 

Chief Artist Yu Wang is a native of Bazhong, Sichuan, who was born into an artistic family to parents who are traditional intangible cultural heritage craftsmen. Wang Yu's parents have been exhibiting their works at home and abroad with the Zigong Lantern Festival every year, and the imprint of the lanterns has been deeply imprinted in Wang Yu's heart since childhood. 

 

 Festival Highlights:

  • Dazzling Lantern Displays: The lantern displays, inspired by animals, flora, and fantastical scenes, will illuminate the pathways of the zoo, offering a unique and magical adventure at night.
  • Interactive Activities: Engage in family-friendly activities and entertainment each night.
  • Food and Beverage Vendors: Enjoy delicious themed treats and refreshments to complement your evening.


"We are thrilled to bring this vibrant and unforgettable event to our community, showcasing the wonder of wildlife in a whole new light,” said Max Lakes, Peoria Zoo Director. “Glow Wild offers a unique cultural experience unlike anything else in the region, featuring breathtaking handcrafted artisan lanterns, local entertainment, and so much more over the next two months."


Ticket prices start at $19.95 for adults and $13.95 for children and are now available here. To learn more about the experience, please visit https://www.glowwildfestival.com/.

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ABOUT PEORIA ZOO and PEORIA PARK DISTRICT

Peoria Zoo’s mission is to create connections that inspire an appreciation for and encourage actions to conserve the natural world. Peoria Zoo, a Peoria Park District facility, is located in Glen Oak Park, a 40+ acre park located in the heart of the East Bluff in Peoria, IL. Peoria Zoo is over 14 acres in size and home to over 100 different species from around the world. To learn more, please visit www.peoriazoo.org.


Public stewards of nearly 9,000 acres of park and greenspace and another 185 buildings, the Park District’s mission is “To enrich life in our community through stewardship of the environment and the provision of quality recreational and leisure opportunities.” To learn more, please visit www.peoriaparks.org.


More Resources:

View all our press releases and virtual press packets by visiting https://peoriaparks.org/news/


Peoria Park District Media Contact:

Max Lakes

Zoo Director

309-681-3509

mlakes@peoriaparks.org




ABOUT KALEIDO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP: 

Kaleido Arts & Entertainment Group is a company dedicated to promoting global cross-cultural communication. Starting in New York in 2018, the company currently assists corporations, associations, and non-profit organizations in organizing events and exhibitions. We provide one-stop planning and execution services. The festival currently holds simultaneous events in various states and is rapidly expanding across the US. 

 

More Resources:

View photo assets of past festival by visiting: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hRm11_c3ulDKHZNLFr1ACaDGUJcJ54Bt?usp=drive_link

 

Kaleido Entertainment Press Contacts: 

Josh Knoller, (201) 294-9586, Josh@nicholaslence.com 

Jasmin Curtiss, (631) 880-9644, Jasmin@nicholaslence.com