Today I want to bring you my guide to the Magical Lantern Festival in London’s Chiswick.

Magical Lantern Festival in London

Magical Lantern Festival in London

The Magical Lantern Festival takes place throughout the gardens of Chiswick House in west London.

As part of the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations, it features installations of brightly colored figures that light up the night sky and thaw the February chill (thank goodness!).

Magical Lantern Festival, London

Excited to see the lights, I book tickets for the festival and head out to Chiswick House with my boyfriend.

He’s hugely skeptical about the whole thing, assuming he’s going to see a few dull lights and spend the rest of the night watching me Instagram them.

Magical Lantern Festival, London

Magical Lantern Festival in London

But as soon as we arrive at the Magical Lantern Festival, he’s as awestruck as I am.

Magical Lantern Festival, London

On our way around the 75-minute circuit, we pass under flowery lanterns, beside bright rows of colorful lights, and along wildly brilliant menageries full of everything from electric pink flamingos to tall yellow giraffes.

Magical Lantern Festival in London

We see the forbidding Terracotta Army, whimsical Year-of-the-Monkey primates, and a larger-than-life dragon in a nod to Chinese New Year.

We stand in front of pretty rows of flowers and big patches of overgrown pumpkins, then peer at a pond full of giant lit-up lilies.

Magical Lantern Festival in London

As people roast marshmallows over an open fire, we walk across a bridge with views of Asian elephants in the distance, then through a canopy with blinking crystals in the trees.

Magical Lantern Festival in London

By the time we reach the end of the path, my inner child is bouncing up and down with joy. The festival is even more bright and brilliant than I imagined, and has brought a huge smile to my normally frozen February face.

Magical Lantern Festival in London

And while my boyfriend is right about having to watch me Instagram (in my defense, I only post one photo), he ends up being won over by the sweet displays and playful characters.

The Magical Lantern Festival in London is not only exciting because it lights up the winter skies, but also because it’s fun for kids from 1 to 100.

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Magical Lantern Festival in London

8 Comments on Lady’s Magical Lantern Festival in London Guide

  1. Wow the photos are stunning! My March trip to London (#5?6?) just fell through and I am so disappointed, because every time I come, the city offers up something new and amazing – like this!

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