Mark the Year of the Monkey and see illuminated lions, tigers and, of course, pandas at the Magical Lantern Festival to celebrate Chinese New Year. These beasts and many more will light up the gardens around Chiswick House beginning on the 3rd of February and running until the 6th of March. The festival’s centrepiece features a 66-metre-long dragon, plus enormous glowing lotuses, magical mushrooms, a Tree of Life and a Mount Huaguo lantern (home of the Monkey King). In all, more than 50 giant lanterns will line the garden paths.
In addition to the menagerie, the festival will include a market with food, drink and gifts. Like Christmas at Kew, entry is timed, and while some tickets will be sold at the door, it is slightly cheaper to buy in advance. The festival is open from 5pm to 8:45pm Tuesday to Sunday each week, except on Chinese New Year (Monday the 8th of February), when it will be open, and instead closed on Tuesday the 9th.
The tickets (advance/on the day) cost £16/£18 for adults, £10/£12 for children 4 and older, and a family ticket for four costs £48/£56.
For more information, visit the Magical Lantern Festival website.
