24th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival | Chinatown

The following event is being organized by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden and Secret Lantern Society.

The 24th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival returns to Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on December 21 after a yearlong break. Produced in partnership with the Secret Lantern Society, the festival transforms the Garden into an illuminated wonderland with hundreds of handmade lanterns, live music, light installations, and aromatic tea.

*Free admission for children age 5 or under
* Tickets at the door are only available on the day of the event from 6:00 to 10 pm.

Image: Julius Reque

Highlights of the magical evening:

*Begin your magical adventure with a stroll through the Garden’s winding path with whimsical animal and organically shaped lanterns.

*Enjoy mesmerizing light projections on the Celestial Sphere flying above the Garden’s recently restored pond.

*See the ­­­14-foot-long dragon lantern installed at the Garden’s ting.

*Create your own beautiful solstice headdress using organic materials such as leaves and dried flowers in the Garden’s China Maple Hall.

*Treat yourself to hot aromatic tea and participate in a tea ceremony while listening to featured performers, including the traditional Chinese and original music of Lan Tung & Bo Peng Duo, atmospheric jazz of the Saul Berson Duo, acoustic folk/fiddle of Twisted Hazel, and the whimsical accordion/clarinet duo Teacup in the Tuba.

*Purchase one-of-a-kind lanterns created by one of the Secret Lantern Society’s artists.

*Lantern artists include Yoko Tomita, Joey Mallett, Willoughby Arevalo, Nicole Jang, and Naomi Singer.