Magical Lantern Festival London

EXPLORE THE SILK ROAD

The London Magical Lantern Festival is a spectacular fusion of art, heritage and culture. Illuminating outdoor installations of beautifully sculpted lanterns taking various forms.

The festival has entered its second year in London as the UK prepares to celebrate Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017 and the cultural significance surrounding this extraordinary event. The theme for this year’s festival is: ‘Explore The Silk Road’. Visitors will discover magnificent life-sized and oversized lantern scenes, which represent and highlight this significant route of trade and culture from Europe to Ancient China.

The Silk Road Festival journey begins with a 15-metre wide lantern of London’s Houses of Parliament. Visitors continue their tour by exploring lanterns related to the Silk Road representing Europe, Central Asia, Arabia, Egypt, Persia, India and Ancient China.

The entertainment area adds another dimension to the experience with an international range of food and beverage vendors, festival merchandise, Ice Bar, a synthetic ice-rink, 3D lantern photo opportunities, virtual reality gaming experience and a mini funfair and games.

FAQs

1. What is Magical Lantern Festival?

The Magical Lantern Festival London enters its second year and will be bigger, brighter and more spectacular than last years UK debut event!

The Magical Lantern Festival is a spectacular fusion of art, heritage and culture. A stunning outdoor event, a festival of light and illumination celebrating Chinese New Year 2017 and the Year of the Rooster. The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Explore The Silk Road’. Visitors will follow a trail around Chiswick House Gardens and explore amazing giant lanterns, which highlight and represent the cultures that traded along the Silk Road between Europe and Asia.

The Silk Road Festival journey begins with a 15m wide by 5m high lantern of London’s Houses of Parliament. Visitors continue their tour by exploring lanterns representing Europe, Central Asia, Middle East, Egypt, Persia, India and into Ancient China. In addition, this year’s festival will have an entertainment area filled with family friendly activities.

2. Babies In Arms Policy

Under 4 years old are free but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. They do not need a ticket

3. Where is the Festival?

Chiswick House Gardens, London, W4 2QN.

Correct entrance is the Dukes Avenue Gate.

4. How Do I get to the Festival?

There is NO parking onsite or nearby, visitors are strongly advised to use public transport.

Nearest tube stations are Turnham Green and Gunnersbury and overground station is Chiswick. The venue is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from these stations.

5. What Can You Do at The Festival?

We promise visitors a truly amazing experience, a visual feast of light and illumination, hidden amongst the grandeur of the 60-acre gardens, which lends itself perfectly to the layout of the lanterns with their combination of grand vistas and hidden pathways, architectural delights and a dazzling array of wildlife.

Visitors will see some of the most artistic and beautifully constructed lantern installations at Europe’s largest lantern festival. The lanterns highlight the historic and world famous Silk Road, celebrate Chinese New Year 2017 and The Year of The Rooster and a range of abstract and cultural Chinese lanterns highlighting the 2000-year heritage of lantern festivals.

The entertainment area adds another dimension to the experience with an international range of food and beverage vendors, festival merchandise, a synthetic ice-rink, 3D lantern photo opportunities, Virtual Reality gaming experience, Chinese bamboo lantern riddles and a mini funfair and games.

6. Will There be Food and Drink Available?

Mouth watering international cuisine and traditional street food will be on offer at this year’s festival. From traditional Spanish Churros to authentic jerk chicken, there will be something for everyone to tuck into!

There will also be a range of Chinese food vendors offering everything from noodles to sticky rice and dumplings to tantalise your taste buds. Along the route there will also be some hot snacks and drinks stalls to keep you warm on your festival route through the gardens.

The Chiswick House Café, which is situated at the centre of the festival route, will also be open during festival opening hours serving hot and cold drinks, delicious sandwiches, soups and the best of modern British cooking. The Café has also been chosen by Time Out Magazine as one of London’s best Park Cafés.

7. What Should I wear?

Dress for an evening outdoors in the winter. Visitors are advised to wear warm clothing and suitable footwear. There are no cloakroom facilities at the venue, so visitors will not be able to store bags or large items. Scooters, skates and bicycles are not permitted on site.

8. Is there Disabled Access?

The route is accessible to wheelchair users and to pushchairs. Assistance dogs will be welcomed, but no other dogs are permitted on site.

9. What are the Festival Opening Times and Dates?

Festival is open from the 19th January to 26th February 2017

Open Thursday to Sunday each week (open everyday during February school half term holidays)

Ticketed entry every 15 minutes from 5.00pm to 9.00pm

Please arrive 15 minutes before your chosen entry time

10. Will I be able to get a Refund if the Event is Cancelled?

Magical Lantern Festival and Eventbrite cannot offer to exchange tickets once purchased, so please make sure that you have chosen the right date and time slot when you book. We are not able to offer refunds or duplicates on lost or unwanted tickets.

Magical Lantern Festival and Eventbrite, cannot offer any exchanges or refunds unless the event is cancelled. Inevitably bad weather can affect any outdoor event. If the venue considers it unsafe to proceed, and we have to cancel the event, visitors will be offered an alternative date/time.

No refunds will be offered simply for bad weather as the festival will still be open. Any decision to cancel the event will be taken by 3pm on the day of an event. 

If the event is cancelled by the venue or the organisers for any reason, patrons will be offered an alternative night.

11. Are Filming and Photography Allowed?

Of course, please share your experience on social media!

twitter@magicallantern

Instagram@magicallantern

Facebook.com/magicallantern

#MagicalLanternLDN

#ExploreTheSilkRoad