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Walk through a world full of lights and lanterns.

Guide to the NYC Winter Lantern Festival

As you enter the Winter Lantern Festival, guests are greeted by an impressive array of giant, handcrafted, illuminated Chinese lanterns depicting whimsical characters and stunning scenery. A laser light display dances on the path inviting visitors to embark down the trail.

The entire Winter Lanter Festival display is divided into multiple interconnected paths lined with giant mushrooms, flowers, and even a towering illuminated holiday tree. You can choose to go left through the giant dragon tunnel or continue to the under-the-sea-themed area with colorful fish and a coral reef.

There is a whole section devoted to African animals and a section of realistic animatronic dinosaurs that open their mouths and roar. Special characters along the way include Santa, robots, and fairy princesses. Don't miss the chance to snap a family photo inside Cinderella's horse-drawn carriage.

After exploring the lantern trails, kids can play on the illuminated swings and see-saw, as well as a bouncy house, while parents grab food and drinks from the on-site food truck. Kids love the laser light area, where they can jump and run with the dancing lights.

RELATED: Best Neighborhood Christmas Lights Displays and Holiday Lights in NYC

Encounter giant wild animal lanterns while wandering the paths at the farm.  

How Much Time Will You Spend at the NYC Winter Lantern Festival?

Plan to spend at least one hour at the festival. The walk-through doesn't require you to cover much ground, but families should plan to spend at least 30 minutes seeing all the different displays, plus set aside some extra time for taking photos.

Know Before You Go to the NYC Winter Lantern Festival

• Timed-entry tickets should be booked online in advance.
• Free parking is available in the museum parking lot.
• Babies and toddlers ages 3 and under enter for FREE.
• Trails are stroller-friendly, and restrooms are available.
• The entire event is outdoors, so dress for the weather.
• There will be a food truck on-site serving snacks, beverages, and tacos.

Looking for more fun, after-dark experiences this season? The Queens Botanical Garden hosts the celestial-themed Astra Lumina, the popular Lightscape is playing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the NYBG Glow sets the New York Botanical Garden awash in light and color. Of course, the popular Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights are back for another run, too, offering six separate lantern safaris to explore.

Photos by the author