Running from 12-22 October, the festival brings all forms of creativity to town and captures the imagination of all who visit.

Here at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, we’re preparing for a magical show of lanterns this Saturday, October 21 – in the DREAM Lantern Parade.

The streets of Dubbo will be alight with a wonderful display of lanterns, including the zoo’s rhino lantern (pictured), and some extra special lanterns that are coming all the way from Sydney to be a part of this year’s event.

There’ll be an elephant lantern, tiger lantern and an additional rhino lantern.

Also new to the parade this year will be a collection of meerkat lanterns - amongst hundreds of others - being walked down Talbragar Street from 8pm.

A grand finish will take place in Victoria Park just before 9pm.

The best bit is... you’re welcome to join!

It’s a wonderful free event that we are proud to support, and this year’s parade will be extra special as it’s also part of the zoo’s 40th birthday celebrations.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

From 12-3pm the next day, on Sunday 22 October, we’ll be enjoying a relaxing family-friendly afternoon at Zoocoustic.

Set in the free area near Savannah Plaza at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, there’s music and munchies abound.

It’s easy to pre-order your food platter for the afternoon - simply head to the DREAM Festival website below.

With performances from musicians Simon Allen, Jo Hyndes and Phil Stack, Zoocoustic is sure to be a fantastic way to spend Sunday afternoon. And did we mention it’s FREE?!

The Lantern Parade and Zoocoustic are just two of the many incredible events that are running from 12-22 October as part of the festival.

Find out more about what’s happening during the Macquarie Credit Union DREAM Festival this year by heading to the website, www.dreamfest.com.au.

And for more information about some of the wonderful things on offer at the zoo, visit the website www.taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo.