Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Zoo says it is cancelling the 2026 Zoomagination Lantern Festival due to visa issues with event partners, Tianyu Arts & Culture. Zoomagination has taken place at the Zoo since 2022 thanks in part to the hard-working artisans from Tianyu, who travel from China to construct the awe-inspiring lanterns.
The zoo says Tianyu’s visa applications for their artisans were denied, and they are unable to install the Zoomagination lanterns within the necessary timeframe "Despite attempts to explore potential contingency plans alongside Tianyu, a solution could not befound that would fit Zoomagination’s timeline," writes the zoo in a statement. "Zoomagination has grown into a beloved summer activity attended by tens of thousands of people each year, and the Buffalo Zoo is hopeful the Lantern Festival can return in the future."
The Buffalo Zoo already has plans in place to host an all-new, autumn-themed event that will take place on select evenings beginning in early September through the end of October.
Buffalo Zoo cites visa issues
Buffalo Zoo cites visa issues
