Chiswick Magical Lantern Festival Is Back

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 86 months ago

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Chiswick Magical Lantern Festival Is Back
The 2016 Magical Lantern Festival. Photo: Londonist

The Magical Lantern Festival is back at Chiswick House Gardens, with light sculptures and other attractions to mark the end of Chinese New Year — including a 15-metre illuminated sculpture of the Houses of Parliament.

The theme for 2017 is the Silk Road, with Europe, Asia, Arabia, Egypt, Persia, India and Ancient China all represented. Centre stage is be a full-size replica of the ship that Chinese Admiral Zheng used on his trade explorations.

Alongside this, there are light sculptures dedicated to the Year of the Rooster, and to London — which is where the Houses of Parliament come in.

The 2016 Magical Lantern Festival. Photo: Londonist

There will be a funfair and ice rink alongside the lights, and Chinese bamboo lantern riddles to get the little grey cells going. Also new for this year is a virtual reality experience: visitors will be given head-sets which will allow then to imagine they are running with dinosaurs or riding a roller coaster.

The 2016 Magical Lantern Festival. Photo: Londonist

The Magical Lantern Festival takes place at Chiswick House Gardens until 26 February 2017 (Thursday-Sunday only). Tickets range from £16.50-£20 adult (£10.50-£14 child). Advance booking recommended — tickets are on sale now.

Last Updated 20 January 2017