Theatre

Photos: Celebrate Chinese New Year with Magical Lantern Festival

With Chinese New Year and Spring Festival upon us, we went down to Chiswick House and Gardens in West London to see a spectacle of one the most traditional Chinese traditions – lanterns, at the Magical Lantern Festival.

We’ve selected some of our favourite lanterns on display (but not all of them, because there are so many!).

To see the spectacle for yourself, Magical Lantern Festival is running every evening until 6 March 2016, book now at Ticketmaster.co.uk.

I mean look at this stuff! Words escape as to how cool this looks in, well, person.

I mean look at this stuff! Words escape as to how cool this looks in, well, person.

There are many large set pieces, like this Japanese one.

There are many large set pieces, like this Japanese one.

No Chinese Spring Festival is complete without a dragon!

No Chinese Spring Festival is complete without a dragon!

Look at their faces! So expressive.

Look at their faces! So expressive.

..and the range of animals they've creative is awesome.

..and the range of animals they’ve creative is awesome.

He's such a happy fish!

He’s such a happy fish!

The UK's hottest new band, probably.

The UK’s hottest new band, probably.

These lantern makers have outdone themselves.

Chiswick House is a brilliant location, with a lake at the centre of the festival.

The attention to detail on the lanterns is amazing.

The attention to detail on the lanterns is amazing.

…and incredibly cute – giant squirrel, anyone?

...see? Majestic!

…see? Majestic!

Many of the lantern-built scenes are very majestic!

And welcome in the year of the monkey!

And welcome in the year of the monkey!

This year we say goodbye to the year of the ram!

...these create an audible OMG moment amongst the crowd.

…these create an audible OMG moment amongst the crowd.

So many varieties of flowers!

So many varieties of flowers!

Magical Lantern Festival celebrates Chinese New Year Spring Festival. So naturally, they’ve got some lantern pandas,

OoooOOOooo

OoooOOOooo

Book tickets for Magical Lantern Festival  now, open until 6 March 2016 at Chiswick House and Gardens, London.