Panda lanterns

The Magical Lantern Festival will return to London for its second year in 2017, running from 19th January to 26th February.

The event will take place at Chiswick House and Gardens, and will feature over 50 light sculptures, Chinese arts, a virtual reality experience, games, food, a funfair and an ice rink.

The festival will enter its second year as the UK prepares to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017, and the lantern sculptures and outdoor displays will reflect this. 

The Silk Road

The theme for the 2017 Magical Lantern Festival will be ‘Explore the Silk Road’.

Visitors will discover life-sized and oversized lantern scenes, which represent and highlight this significant route of trade and culture from Europe to Ancient China.

Highlights are set to include a 15-metre wide lantern of London’s Houses of Parliament, and a full-size lantern replica of the ship that Chinese Admiral Zheng used on his trade explorations.

Other light sculptures will represent Europe, central Asia, Arabia, Egypt, Persia, India and China.

Entertainment

Groups visiting the festival can enjoy a range of entertainment as well as an international range of food and beverage vendors and festival merchandise.

A 30-metre ice-rink, 3D lantern photo opportunities, a virtual reality gaming experience, Chinese bamboo lantern riddles and a mini funfair and games are all confirmed for the event.

GTOs will find group rates available for the magical Lantern Festival for parties of ten or more, and can purchase tickets at www.magicallantern.uk.

Chiswick House and Gardens

Chiswick House is said to be one of the earliest examples of neo-Palladian design in England, and was reportedly inspired by the architecture and gardens of ancient Rome.

The 65-acres of Grade I listed gardens combine grand vistas and architecture with water features and wilderness areas. 

A £12.1m restoration of the gardens has returned them to their mid-18th century style with new additions including picnic and play areas.

For further information visit www.chgt.org.uk.