All material on this site is the property of Londonist Ltd. Finally, sometimes it does get really crowded and if it rains before your shoes will get muddy. The bright colours and the beautiful reflection of some of the displays in the lakes definitely cheered my friend and me up (after a tough day at work and a tricky journey from the tube). Some were better than others. So cold that the lake had actually frozen in some areas. This feature film from Scottish director Steven Lewis Simpson, adapted [...], Ethan Hawke stars as iconic inventor Nikola Tesla, fighting an uphill battle to bring his revolutionary electrical system to fruition. Definitely one to return to!

Be aware that information may have changed since it was published. KIDSLitFest- Creating Magical Creatures with … I found this experience magical - although the tickets were pretty pricey at £18 each to go for a walk in the park in the cold in London! The only thing I would have liked in addition to the lanterns would be some form of introduction, labelling or backstory, but I realise that it would be difficult and time-consuming to put in place. At the very end of the festival walk you will come to a love heart with sunflowers around it which is great for a photo opportunity. © 2020 Londonist, All rights reserved. I think it is perfect for family and especially children will love this event! I really enjoyed the evening. We advise booking in advance to avoid disappointment, on the day availability is not guaranteed. We took over 450 photos I know we are mad. Beautiful, colourful and bright - Wear some comfy shoes that you don't mind getting a bit muddy as its a long walk through the park! Having spent the afternoon celebrating the Year of the Rooster in ChinaTown we were looking forward to our visit to The Magical Lantern Festival. !. My husband said he still wasn't sure if it was worth the money, but I definitely disagree with him. You can even hop on a vintage bus to see them. Here's what a previous version of the event looked like: Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park, Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday evenings only, 15 November-1 December 2019.

The day I visited with friends was EXTREMELY cold.

But some were not to my taste, because I am Chinese, some of the lanterns shaped like people and buildings reminded me of "gifts" that you would burn for the dead, hence my friends and I skipped past those pretty quickly. Find more Festivals near Magical Lantern Festival.

But Aladdin looked very boyish so was much better, and the palace with many colours, was beautiful.Halfway, you can get mulled wine (£4.95) and, roast yourself, marshmallows (£1.50 for one) over a coal fire. I had a fabulous time at this event! Chiswick House and Gardens isn't shy of hosting a light festival (see 2018's After Dark and the Magical Lantern Festival prior to that), but it's trying something new in January 2020. Some of my best lanterns in my view -  the dragon -  Squirrels -  Pandas -  Ducks The light festival has to be seen to be believed as the lanterns and the light that comes of them is like nothing I have ever seen before.

This is popular with families but since its such a big space you never feel crowded or like you're stumbling over small children. All the lanterns were spectacular and full of colour. P.S. The area is well cordoned off with a path to lead you through the grounds where you will be surrounded by lanterns round every corner. Seems hardly believable, especially in such a cosmopolitan city such as London where everything seems to be given it's time in the limelight. I would also have rather had a fancy camera to take pics, as my phone didn't really do the scenes justice. Here's an idea of what to expect: Enchanted Eltham at Eltham Palace, 5-8 December and 12-15 December and 19-22 December 2019. Learn more. L.A. Times It’s a simple recipe and remarkably effective. The tour ends at the food and drink are where you can collect your thoughts and warm up with a hot drink or visit the ice bar before heading home. 0 other reviews that are not currently recommended. I remembered last year, walking from Turnham Green Station in the dark following Google Maps which took 20 minutes of brisk walking to keep warm, as it was so, so bitterly cold, even well wrapped, so a leisurely walk could take up to 30 minutes! Don't miss this amazing event. However even though the food stalls were amazing I would of liked to of seen some Chinese type food stalls at the event especially considering it is from China after all . I also love the Chinese opera characters with their oversized heads, and the playful chef with his noodles and the bowl of noodles lantern, and cartoon characters, some relaxing, some playful from the Lee Kam Kee display.We also saw a Chinese goddess, or may by it's a Tibetan Buddha, Swans from Swan Lake (on the Silk Road? Take a look at our video from Christmas at Kew 2018 to get an idea of what to expect: Christmas at Kew 2019, 20 November 2019-5 January 2020. The event takes around 75 minutes to get around the picturesque, beautifully kept and landscaped garden. For the 30th annual Fall Film Festival, the Magic Lantern Theater has curated a wonderful assortment of films from comedies to documentaries to fictions with a twist of social commentary. But it’s also kind of great, like a single glass of sparkling wine after a really bad day. And as an event I thought there was much more light displays than I possibly could have imagined. Walking along the trail is absolutely mesmerizing and also very calming.

The Magical Lantern Festival makes its UK Premiere at Chiswick House & Gardens in London 2016 transforming the environment into an extravaganza of lights, culture, art and cuisine. I didn't and was a little chilly myself. haha) that there was an entrance 100 yards from the bus stop in Burlington Lane, so I walked back to Hogarth Lane, pass Hogarth House (mental note, must remember to come earlier next time, as this place closes early, but it looks very interesting) to the main entrance at Dukes Avenue Gate, where the arch over the entrance was fully lit with lanterns. On the crepe stall you can buy all sorts of different flavoured crepes from white chocolate to your normal lemon (fresh) and sugar. Actually used the flames of the cans for  marshmellows to warm myself. Let us know at [email protected]. Theatre of Light at East Village E20. Second, please wrap up warm because it is all outdoors. I dunno I supposed I thought it would be all Chinese! We'll be adding details of Christmas light switch-ons to this page as they're announced. Magical Lantern Festival Birmingham 2019. Come experience the Water Lantern Festival with your friends and family as the floating lanterns reflect messages of love, hope, and happiness upon the water. Very well executed and fun thing to do! The day I visited with friends was EXTREMELY cold. After an appearance at Canary Wharf Winter Lights 2019, artist collective Squidsoup brings two more immersive light installations to London. It's definitely quite a challenge for the crowd to do a selfie against the lanterns without their faces turning out to be dark!Please also have more displays. No-one was manning the road entrance at 1645 and … The burger stand does not sell beef type burgers instead a venison or halloumi one but don't let that put you off as the venison burgers are very meaty. Plan your day ahead or read the day's London headlines with our daily emails. ie the giant panda, cartoon styled Chinese opera characters and rooster in an egg shape. ), a giant panda on a bamboo base, groups of flowers, and palaces, and more beautiful arches.In the centre of the entertainment area is a giant teapot and cups, its lights sparkling in the dark night. .css-1o5pw2t{width:24px;height:24px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle;position:relative;overflow:hidden;top:-0.1em;fill:rgba(187,186,192,1);}.css-1o5pw2t::before{position:absolute;display:block;left:0;}.css-1o5pw2t::after{content:'';display:block;position:absolute;left:0;right:0;top:0;bottom:0;}.css-1o5pw2t svg{position:absolute;width:100%;height:100%;fill:inherit;display:block;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;}.css-1o5pw2t:hover,.css-1o5pw2t:focus{fill:rgba(117,114,128,1);}. So cold that the lake had actually frozen in some areas. I was feeling quite hyped up after having had a Vietnamese drip coffee and that helped me keep warm as we zipped around the beautiful display. Compared to these some of the faces of the other lanterns looked very strange and unrealistic. Yes, its that time of year–Our 31st (OMG!)

The bus stop was on the other side to the Gardens, if coming from Central London, so crossing the road to the Gardens' side is a bit hit and miss, you have to be so careful, as there is no crossing there. TIME It’s all so silly. The first Chinese Lantern Festival in the UK? As it is open air, I suggest you wrap up extremely warm and wear comfortable and waterproof footwear as it was quite muddy along the pathways. Footpaths, with direction signs, laid out so nothing was missed. Know something we've missed? Absolutely blown away by the art and creativity of the sculptures at the magic lantern festival. TIME It’s all so silly. £5, booking required. Magical Lantern Festival 2017 This festival is no longer running Multi City | Unique. I wish I'd saved some room in my tummy for the toasted marshmallow treats and the churros we saw, but I'll have to come back next year for those. The coolest London events from our partners.

Winterfest at Wembley Park, 20 November 2019-3 January 2020.

The atmospheric trail winds through the gardens after dark, and manages to act as both a fantastic family-friendly event, and a romantic date night. Beautiful, artistic exhibits with well signed descriptions.

Wembley Park launches a shiny new lights festival this year, and the centrepiece is Sonic Runway, which some may recognise from Nevada's Burning Man festival. As it is open air, I suggest you wrap up extremely warm and wear comfortable and waterproof footwear as it was quite muddy along the pathways. Walking along the trail is absolutely mesmerizing and also very calming. I especially love the marshmallow stall as they sell all unique flavours from passionfruit & ginger to plain vanilla and you can cook your chosen marshmallow over a fire pit. About This Festival The Magical Lantern Festival makes its debut in Birmingham at Botanical Gardens following the hugely successful UK launch in London last year. For me having the funfair etc at the festival sort of ruined the whole magic of the festival for me as I had just experienced a lovely walk admiring such beauty in such tranquil grounds then I am hit by this mass of noise and ugliness.Even though I enjoyed the lanterns I did not enjoy it as much as last year unfortunately. The elephant was my favourite lantern scene but the others were also very impressive. Feast your eyes on our line up and keep your fingers crossed (we are) that the film companies keep their word (he said – laughing hysterically) on the bookings. A mile-long route winds around the ornamental lake where the trees are illuminated in all colours, before finishing in the historic arboretum. November, 2019 Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Basically, it's a walking tour full of different lantern groupings depicting different scenes, mostly from the silk road. Silly narrow minded me. The must-read London articles. So this year decided to get the bus from Hammersmith Station, thinking it would be quicker, which was fine until the bus got stuck at the approach to Hogarth Roundabout for 15 minutes. Neat idea. Meanwhile, another new Squidsoup artwork appears at Southbank Centre's Winter Festival, 2 December 2019-7 January 2020. If you are like me and like to take photos of anything beautiful (which was basically every lantern) then you can find yourself walking for a good 2 hrs whilst taking in the displays. ... Save Meeting of the Magic Lantern Society to your collection.

That would have added a neat touch.Overall I thought it was good.

However for some reason when we went the stairs to stand directly in front of the heart was taped off and so was the sunflowers as some you could stick your head through so that was a big disappointment.