Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with a glowing, interactive walkthrough experience full of stunning handcrafted silk lanterns of all shapes and sizes. The Winter Lantern Festival returns to Lerner Square in Tysons for the second year, from November 24 to February 18.
The waitlist to get tickets is open now. People on the waitlist get earlier access to buy tickets. Tickets will be available to the public starting October 25.
Inspired by traditional Chinese lantern festivals, this festival will showcase over 1,000 Chinese lanterns. The lanterns are lit with LED lights to give them an unmissable bright glow. They take creative, whimsical forms, like larger-than-life animals and florals.
What to Expect
The festival’s walk-through takes an estimated one hour and is appropriate for all ages. The festival’s website says that it expects to add additional family fun to the mix this year, including “dino rides,” photo opportunities, a bounce house, and sugar paintings.
Even the lights will have some interactive elements, such as light-up swings and seesaws.
There will be hot food, soft drinks, and hot chocolate for sale. While the event is outdoors, there will be an indoor space to allow visitors to take breaks if needed.
The event has previously taken place in New York, attracting around 150,000 guests annually. Last year’s season was the first year it was on display in Northern Virginia. In addition to New York and Virginia, the festival will also take place in Georgia and New Jersey this year.
Ticket prices start at $15.99 for children and $21.99 for adults.
This festival is one of many holiday light shows that will turn the DMV area into a winter wonderland this year. Visitors can look forward to a light walkthrough at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, a drive-through light show at Bull Run Regional Park, the Illuminate drive-through light show in Doswell, and Enchant Christmas in Washington, DC.
Winter Lantern Festival at Lerner Town Square: 8025 Galleria Dr., Tysons
Feature image courtesy DC Winter Lantern Festival
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