Chiswick House Garden plays host to a 26 day Chinese lantern festival suitable for adults and children alike. To mark the Year of the Monkey 2016, a Mount Huaguo lantern with an illuminated waterfall will provide the fairytale setting for an intricate recreation of popular Chinese fable, The Monkey King.
Other illuminated delights include a life size lantern Terracotta Army, a 10-metre tall recreation of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and an 8-metre, porcelain Imperial Palace Lantern. The 66-metre-long dragon, stretching out across a lake is a magnificent sight. See photos from our visit below.
History of Chinese Lantern Festival
Chinese lantern festivals spans a rich 2000 year heritage and is an important annual event in Chinese tradition as families gather to celebrate the arrival of the lunar new year. Lanterns developed from being carried to being put up in official palaces and along the streets. They gradually became more extravagant with craftsmen creating huge animals, dragons and depictions of famous landmarks as the nobility sought to display their wealth by displaying the most ornate lanterns.
How much are tickets for Magical Lantern Festival?
Advanced tickets: adult £16; child £10; family £48: concessions £14.
For more information, see the Magical Lantern website.
Where is Chiswick House Gardens?
Chiswick, London W4 2QN
The magical lantern festival entrance is next to Rustic House Gate. No parking is available. Nearest tube station for Chiswick House Gardens is Turnham Green or Gunnersbury, both are 16 mins walk to the venue. Chiswick mainline is 17mins walk.
Open from 3rd February to 6th March 2016
Closed Tuesday 23rd Feb & Monday 29th Feb
Ticketed entry every 15 minutes from 5.00pm to 8.30pm
Last entry is 8.45pm and closes at 10.00pm giving you 75 mins to explore.
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Hazel Baker is a qualified CIGA Tour Guide who delivers guided walks and private tours in London. View all of Hazel’s walking tours.
