Nashville Zoo Cancels Zoolumination Due to Visa Denials

The Nashville Zoo has cancelled its annual Zoolumination festival. The cancellation is due to visa denials for Chinese artisans responsible for constructing the lantern displays. Originally scheduled for the November 2026-27 season, the event will not proceed because members of its production partner, InLight Festival Group, were unable to obtain visas to enter Tennessee.

Earlier this year, another lantern festival faced a similar fate in Des Moines, Iowa, due to visa denials for Chinese workers. This highlights ongoing challenges in securing visas for international artists hosting cultural and seasonal events in the U.S. Neither the Nashville Zoo nor InLight disclosed the number of artisans impacted or the visa categories involved. However, these denials align with tightened visa regulations from the previous administration. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and InLight for comments.

Reasons Behind Nashville Zoo’s Decision

In an official statement, the zoo attributed the cancellation of Zoolumination to visa denials for artists affiliated with InLight Festival Group. The zoo expressed disappointment, stating, “Nashville Zoo is disappointed to announce the cancellation of Zoolumination for 2026 due to visa issues affecting our event partner, InLight Festival Group.” Attempts to identify alternative solutions proved unsuccessful. Typically, artisans from Zigong, China, travel to construct the large-scale illuminated displays featured in the event.

Since its inception in 2019, Zoolumination has become a significant holiday attraction in Nashville, with over 1,000 handmade silk lanterns attracting visitors throughout the winter season.

About the Lantern Festival’s Creators

InLight Festival Group, an international lantern festival company, produces the displays. They collaborate with zoos, parks, and attractions worldwide, having organized festivals across numerous countries. The artisans from Zigong, China, a city renowned for its historic lantern-making traditions, are crucial to the event. The specialists travel to the U.S. to assemble the displays, relying on their expertise for the event’s success.

Nashville Zoo’s Alternative Plans

In place of Zoolumination, the Nashville Zoo will introduce a new holiday attraction called Glow Wild. This event will feature illuminated wildlife displays, festive installations, and an 85-foot synchronized Christmas tree. Glow Wild is scheduled to run from November 13 to January 3, 2027.