A beautiful holiday lights festival is illuminating four different parts of New York, inspired by Chinese artisan lanterns.
NYC Winter Lantern Festival features more than 10,000 LED lanterns created by more than 100 artists, along with live performances and on-site food vendors. Some of the LED lights can reach up to 30 feet high across a total of 60 acres!
“Lantern festivals have been a part of Chinese culture and history for thousands of years, honoring our ancestors and celebrating peace, prosperity and good fortune,” said Haokun Liu, partner of Kaleido Arts & Entertainment Group, which created the event. “We are thrilled to bring back the NYC Winter Lantern Festival, now in its fourth year, expand to new locations, introduce all visitors to the beauty of these artisan installations and have the show become part of New York’s cultural holiday tradition.”
The closest location to NJ is Staten Island’s Journey to the East. You’ll be able to wander through a world inspired by Chinese myths and legends including a larger-than-life handmade lantern display of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. In addition, lantern displays will include an animal kingdom, sea world and illuminated tunnels. There will also be illuminated rideable swings, food vendors and great photo ops. Through Dec. 23, hours are 5-9:30 pm Fridays – Sundays; afterward the show will be open daily through Jan. 8. Tickets are $28.99 plus service fee for adults and $17.99 plus service fee for kids. Parking is available on-site for $10. Journey to the East is located at SIUH Community Park, which is the Staten Island Ferry Hawks Stadium, located at 75 Richmond Terrace near Empire Outlets.
If you prefer a drive-through experience, Nassau Drive-Thru Adventure opens on Nov. 3 with illuminated tunnels and Chinese lanterns inspired by outer space. It’ll be a unique experience as you move between planets, rockets, astronauts and more. This festival is open through Jan. 15, 2023, at the Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn. Regular hours are 5-8:30 pm Thursdays – Sundays, but from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1 the festival is open daily. Admission is $50 plus service fee per vehicle.
If you have family in Long Island, take them to the Suffolk Winter Lantern Festival at Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St. Open from Nov. 4 to Jan. 8, 2023, this show will transform Smithtown into a magical light display featuring flowers, animals and more. Hours are 5:30-9:30 pm Fridays – Sundays. Admission is $22 for adults and $12 for kids with free parking available.
You can also head to the Queens County Farm Museum for a luminescent display inspired by theme parks and Chinese myths and legends, along with illuminated tunnels, illuminated rideable swings and more. Illuminate the Farm is open Nov. 11 through Jan. 8, 2023, at the museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway. Hours are 5-9 pm Fridays – Sundays; from Dec. 23 through Jan. 1 the festival is open daily. Tickets are $26.99 plus service fee for adults and $17.99 plus service fee for kids.
Tickets are available now, with a 30 percent discount available through Nov. 11 using promo code “EARLYP.”
