Animals of the World Chinese Lantern Festival

17. October 2025.

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22. February 2026.

Animals like you’ve never seen them before (colors, lights, magic). The World of Animals Chinese Lantern Festival is a special event taking place from October 17, 2025, to February 22, 2026, honoring the thousands of years of Chinese traditions. The program also strengthens Hungarian-Chinese cultural dialogue and shows how the animal world and art can create a bridge between national traditions.

Program details

The lantern decorations at the Budapest “World of Animals” Light Festival were made by artisans from Zigong, China, using traditional techniques. Zigong lantern-making is part of China’s intangible cultural heritage, with a history dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. The frames of modern lanterns are shaped from steel wire, illuminated with LEDs inside, and covered with colorful fabrics. This allows for the creation of various shapes—people, animals, plants, birds, fish, and insects—as well as large, surreal lanterns.

The exhibition’s theme is the “World of Animals,” focusing on endangered species from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, North America, and Oceania. The surfaces of the animals are decorated with symbolic cultural motifs characteristic of their respective continents. In this way, the lantern groups combine endangered animals with the distinctive cultural elements of each region, showcasing both the richness of the world’s wildlife and cultural diversity.

Opening hours:

October 17–31, 2025, Friday to Sunday: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gates open: 6:00 PM
Last entry: 8:20 PM
On-site ticket office closes: 8:20 PM
Gates close: 9:00 PM

November 1, 2025 – February 22, 2026, Friday to Sunday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gates open: 5:00 PM
Last entry: 8:20 PM
On-site ticket office closes: 8:20 PM
Gates close: 9:00 PM

Special opening times:
October 23 – November 2, 2025: open every day
December 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026: open every day
Closed on: December 24, 25, 26, and 31, 2025.

Useful info

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the weather, as the exhibition is outdoors.
During this period, some outdoor catering units will be open, and you can also browse products at the Zooshop.
Restrooms and a baby-care room with changing facilities are available at the Main Gate and at Varázshegy.
If you arrive by car, parking is available at ParkolóZoona or on Állatkerti körút in paid parking spaces. By public transport, trolleybus 72 stops in front of the zoo, and by the underground, get off at the Széchenyi Bath stop.
The entire event area is accessible.
Dogs, balloons, scooters, and bicycles are not allowed inside the zoo.
Children under 14 may only attend when accompanied by an adult.
Some installations feature moving light effects and background music.
For your safety, please follow the designated visitor paths and take care not to damage the lanterns.
Certain areas of the zoo are closed for safety, animal welfare, and veterinary reasons.

Ticket information:

Tickets can be purchased in advance before October 17, 2025, with a 20% discount. Advance tickets are valid from October 17, 2025, to February 22, 2026.
Tickets can be bought online or at on-site ticket machines using a bank card, Széchenyi Card, or cash.
On the last day of the event, February 22, 2026, tickets are only available for on-site purchase.
Discounts and zoo passes are not valid for this program.
The event will take place even in rainy weather.
In case of extreme weather conditions or prolonged power outages, the exhibition may be closed; visitors will be informed via our official online channels by 4:00 PM.
Purchased tickets cannot be refunded.