We got a sneak peak at this truly amazing festival. If you are traveling to or live near the Charlotte, North Carolina area you want to make plans to catch this night time display. The Lantern Festival is Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s largest exhibition to date and showcases over 800 handmade lanterns filling more than 12 acres. Wow!
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is a botanical garden located on 380 acres of rolling meadows, woodlands and lakefront property in Belmont, North Carolina. Founded by Daniel J. Stowe, a retired textile executive from Belmont, it includes large manicured gardens, natural surrounding areas, including a woodland trail, sparkling fountains, and an Orchid Conservatory.
Don’t let the word “lanterns,” mislead you. These are not hand-held, candle-lit lamps. No, these Chinese lanterns are the evolved kind, that feature unbelievable wondrous shapes, and in larger than life sizes you have to see to appreciate.
The theme of the festival is called “The Wild,” and is features a world of illuminated 
panda bears, lions, flamingos and more fauna from the world’s seven continents. Each of the lanterns is made by masters of the craft in Zigong, China’s center of lantern heritage. Others are made of small glass medicine bottles filled with colored liquid. Arranged in the shape of dragons, peacocks, and giant pearls, they glimmer like crystal rainbows.
The events begins on September 7th and runs through October 29th. That’s each week Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
You save money by purchasing tickets online: Purchase Tickets. However tickets are sold at the gate: Adults $24.95, Seniors 60+: $21.95, Children 2-12: $15.95, while under 2 are free.