FORTY-THOUSAND light bulbs and hundred-foot-long dragons will be among the attractions illuminating Roundhay Park during this Christmas period, as the UK’s biggest Chinese lantern festival comes to Yorkshire for the first time.
This festival will show many people something they’ve never seen or experienced before in a way that is entertaining and can be experienced as a family.
The Magical Lantern Festival Yorkshire will cover up to 300 acres of Roundhay - Europe’s largest city park - from Friday 25 November until Monday 2 January, forming a winding trail of lanterns up to twenty metres wide.
The festival attracted over 100,000 visitors in just six weeks when it launched in London last year, earning nominations Outdoor Event of the Year, Best Debut Event, Creative Event of the Year, and the Game Changer awards at the upcoming Event Awards.
Twenty metre wide entrance to the trailMore than just a flashy technological display, the event promises an immersive experience incorporating artistic and cultural history; a part of co-founder and Creative Director Ian Xiang’s heritage:
“Lantern festivals have been running for more than 2,000 years across Asia, but they’re still new to the West - most of the lanterns are actually made in my hometown in China, so it makes me incredibly proud to see them come all this way across to the UK.”
Most lanterns are made in the co-founder's hometown“This festival will show many people something they’ve never seen or experienced before. It has the potential to increase understanding of Chinese culture here in the UK in a way that is entertaining and, importantly, something that can be experienced as a family.”
On top of all that, the event will help raise funds for Yorkshire organisation the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which raises money for children’s and cancer charities. “It’s great to have the support for our charity from this completely new and exciting festival for Yorkshire. The plans for it look amazing and hopefully it’s something that can run long into the future.” said Mike Tomlinson from the charity.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £12.50 for adults, £10.50 concessions, £8.50 children, and £38 for families.
MagicalLantern.uk for tickets and more information.
