MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL

The Magical Lantern Festival in London is an artistic installation of stunning sculpted life-size lanterns designed in various shapes from animals and abstract images to buildings.

Originally from China, the Lantern Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar marking the last day of the lunar New Year celebration. In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple and only the emperor and noblemen had large ones. In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs. Lanterns are now often made in the shape of animals. The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune.

The festival has now become an event with great significance celebrated worldwide. In Hong Kong, the festival is commercialized as the Chinese equivalent of Valentine’s Day. The Mid-Autumn Festival in Singapore and Malaysia is sometimes also known as the Lantern Festival.

The Lantern Festival comes to London with the name of Magical Lantern Festival for the first time in its long and elaborate history. It is hosted at the iconic Chiswick House & Gardens. In this video, we captured the essence of the festival, which was truly remarkable and visually spectacular. Enjoy life illuminated.