Review: Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns – A deep dive into light

Let me tell you, Edinburgh Zoo is currently extraordinary. It has been six long years since the Zoo last decorated their famous hill with these visual delights, and the return is nothing short of a triumph.

The Giant Lanterns are back, and for the first time since 2019, the nights in Corstorphine are glowing with a spectacular aquatic theme. Gone are the pandas and rhinos of the day; in their place is a neon ocean that transforms a cold, dark walk into something genuinely magical.

A Rare Delight

It is quite rare, almost impossible, to hear young people today say “Wow” and exclaim it without irony. But that is exactly what I heard visiting Corstorphine tonight.

The sheer scale of the event is disarming. Young teenage boys, a demographic usually allergic to public displays of wonder, were particularly impressed. You could see it on their faces as they looked up at the towering light installations. The atmosphere was fantastic – even though the morning had been misty, the night itself was dry, allowing for a pleasant, slightly exciting walk up the hill.

It isn’t just about the lights; it is about the memories. The trail provides such fantastic photographs and delightful moments that it feels like a proper event rather than just a walk in the dark.

Under the Sea

The theme this year is aquatic, blending real and fantasy elements in a way that works surprisingly well. We have the usual suspects you might expect—sea turtles, massive jellyfish, and schools of fish—but then the Zoo throws in the unexpected.

There are Krakens taking on pirate ships in a battle of light, and giant sharks swirling in what can only be described as a “Sharknado.” How can we forget the Sharknado? It sits near the start, meaning the festival of lights begins with a bang.

The variety is staggering. You have light tunnels that feel like you are walking through coral reefs, a giant crab that towers over the path, and an enormous whale mouth that you actually walk through to continue your journey. There are even penguins on ice—a wintery nod that fits perfectly, even if it isn’t strictly underwater. The lanterns are so numerous that there are no dead spots; it is a constant, staggering show from the bottom of the hill to the top and back down again.

Overall

It was a pleasant, exciting walk up, and the lanterns are so numerous that you have an equally staggering show on the way down. Seeing teenagers unironically impressed by a Kraken or a giant shark is worth the ticket price alone. I recommend the trip; do it.