You’ve probably seen the photos. Those massive, glowing silk sculptures that look like they belong in a Studio Ghibli film rather than a parking lot in Draper, Utah. It’s easy to be cynical about "pop-up" light shows. Most of the time, they’re just overhyped Christmas lights and overpriced hot cocoa. But the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Lantern Festival, officially known as Nights Under Lights, is a different beast entirely. It’s huge.
It feels different.
Honestly, walking under a 30-foot glowing jellyfish while the Utah wind nips at your nose is an experience that’s hard to replicate. It isn't just about "pretty lights." It’s an extension of the aquarium’s mission, blended with the ancient Chinese tradition of lantern making. They don't just throw some LEDs inside a plastic mold. These are hand-crafted, silk-covered works of art.
What Most People Miss About the Artistry
The craftsmanship is where the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Lantern Festival really separates itself from the generic holiday drive-thrus you see popping up in suburban malls. These lanterns are built by artisans who specialize in the Zigong style of lantern making. Zigong, a city in China’s Sichuan province, has been the epicenter of this craft for centuries.
We're talking about internal steel skeletons.
The artisans weld these frames into incredibly complex shapes—think anatomically (mostly) correct whale sharks or intricate coral reefs—and then stretch colored silk over the frame. The final step involves hand-painting the details. When you stand close to the giant octopus, you can actually see the brushstrokes on the fabric. It’s impressive. It’s also temporary, which adds a certain "must-see" urgency to the whole thing.
The scale is the part that usually catches people off guard. You expect small lanterns. You get a walk-through tunnel that makes you feel like you’re literally underwater. The aquarium uses its outdoor space, including the area surrounding the massive "EOR" structure (that giant metal claw from U2’s 360° Tour), to create a loop that takes about 45 minutes to an hour to walk through if you’re actually stopping to look at things.
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Navigating the Crowd and the Cold
Utah winters are no joke. Draper sits right in a wind corridor, and since the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Lantern Festival is entirely outdoors, you have to dress like you're going on an expedition. I’ve seen people show up in light hoodies and regret it within ten minutes.
Wear the heavy coat.
The paths are paved, so accessibility isn't a massive issue for strollers or wheelchairs, but the crowds can get dense on Friday and Saturday nights. If you want the "Discover-worthy" photos without a stranger’s head in the frame, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday. The vibe is much more chill, and you aren't being ushered along by a sea of toddlers in glow-stick necklaces.
Parking at the aquarium can also be a bit of a headache during peak festival hours. While there is a dedicated lot, it fills up fast. Many locals end up parking in the nearby business park lots and walking over. It’s a bit of a trek, but honestly, it beats idling in your car for twenty minutes waiting for a spot to open up near the entrance.
The Cost vs. Value Proposition
Let's talk money because these tickets aren't exactly cheap. For a family of four, you're looking at a significant chunk of change once you factor in the "extras." Is the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Lantern Festival worth the price of admission?
It depends on what you’re looking for.
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If you just want to see lights, there are free displays in city parks across the Salt Lake Valley. But if you want a curated, immersive experience that feels more like an outdoor art gallery, this is it. The aquarium often offers "combo" tickets that include daytime admission to the indoor galleries and nighttime access to the lanterns. If you have the stamina for a full day of sharks and then a night of lights, that’s where the real value is.
Keep in mind that the lantern festival is a separate ticketed event from standard daytime admission. You can't just linger inside the aquarium until the sun goes down and expect to walk out into the festival for free. They clear the decks and scan new tickets for the evening event.
Food and "The Vibe"
There are usually food trucks or on-site concessions offering the standard festival fare: hot chocolate, churros, and maybe some overpriced pretzels. It’s fine. It’s what you expect. But the real "vibe" comes from the soundtrack. The aquarium usually pumps in atmospheric music that matches the themes of the lanterns—oceanic swells for the sea creatures and more traditional melodies for the cultural sections.
It’s surprisingly peaceful.
Even with the hum of the nearby I-15 freeway, the scale of the lanterns and the glow they cast creates a sort of sensory bubble. It’s one of the few places in the valley during the winter where you can feel like you’ve actually left Utah for a minute.
Common Misconceptions to Clear Up
One thing people get wrong is thinking the lanterns are the same every single year. While some fan favorites return, the aquarium usually rotates themes or adds new pieces to keep it fresh. One year might lean heavily into deep-sea bioluminescence, while another might feature more terrestrial animals or Chinese zodiac symbols.
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Another point of confusion: the animals.
People ask if they can see the penguins or the sharks during the lantern festival. Generally, no. The indoor exhibits are closed during the standalone lantern event hours unless you’ve purchased a specific "late-night" aquarium access pass (which they offer occasionally). The festival is about the art, not the live animals. The live residents of the aquarium are tucked away in their climate-controlled habitats while you’re outside looking at their silk-and-wire counterparts.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to go, don't just wing it. The festival has a set run-time, usually starting in late autumn and stretching through the early months of the year.
- Check the Weather: If it’s snowing, the lanterns look magical, but if it’s "wintry mix" (that gross Utah slush), the experience is miserable.
- Buy Tickets Online: They use timed entry. If you show up at the gate without a reservation on a busy night, you might be waiting for an hour or told to come back another day.
- Camera Settings: If you’re shooting on a phone, turn down your exposure. The lanterns are bright, and the background is pitch black; your phone will try to overcompensate and blow out all the beautiful colors of the silk. Tap the lantern on your screen and slide the brightness down.
- The "Claw" Factor: Take a moment to stand under the EOR structure. Even if you aren't a U2 fan, the sheer engineering of that thing draped in lights is worth a look.
The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Lantern Festival is a rare example of a commercial holiday event that actually delivers on its visual promises. It’s a weird, bright, cold, and beautiful marriage of Chinese folk art and marine biology. Just remember to wear thick socks. You’ll be standing on cold pavement for a while, and nothing ruins a glowing dragon quite like frozen toes.
Skip the weekend rush, grab a hot drink, and take your time walking through the tunnels. It’s one of the few winter events in Utah that manages to feel genuinely special rather than just another "thing to do" before the snow melts.
For the best experience, aim for the "blue hour"—that period just after the sun sets but before the sky goes completely black. The lanterns pop against the deep blue sky, and your photos will look significantly better than they would in total darkness. Also, keep an eye on the aquarium’s social media for "Member Nights" or discount codes, which they tend to drop mid-week during the slower parts of the season.
This isn't just a walk in the park. It’s a massive logistical feat that brings a bit of international culture to the Wasatch Front. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's a solid addition to any winter itinerary.