SeeCalifornia.com

Lantern festivals still have a presence in California this Winter–they’ve appeared in some cities in the past and not come back for the 2019-2020 holiday season, but can be found in other trafficked spots.

You may have seen them previously in Santa Clara, Gilroy, Sacramento, Fresno and even at the Long Beach’s Queen Mary. This year there’s a new crop of events to check out with some designs seen before (such as the popular Chinese dragon pictured,) and new lantern designs to dazzle and amaze the crowds. We’ve rounded up a few illuminating experiences throughout the Golden State that you may enjoy.

California Lantern Festivals

SAN FRANCISCO: Parol Festival & Parade December 14, 2019, is an annual Filipino tradition in which the Bay Area community makes their own lanterns and carries them in a night-time parade.

ARCADIA: Moonlight Forest November 9, 2019-January 12, 2020 at Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is back for the second year due to popular demand.

PLEASANTON: LumiNight November 29, 2019-February 2, 2020 at Alameda County Fairgrounds is a walking safari through scenes from our magical planet revealed by larger-than-life lantern sculptures created by Chinese artisans.

POMONA: Hanart Chinese Lantern Festival November 21, 2019-January 5, 2020 at Fairplex invites guests to imagine a journey deep into a vast wonderland filled exotic flowers, trees, insects, mammals, and reptiles in their natural environment. Explore the hillside which features brilliant lanterns depicting the Amazon Jungle.

VALLEJO: Lantern Light Festival November 28, 2019-January 26, 2020 at Solano County Fairgrounds offers a kaleidoscope of colors in many themes. Each lantern is hand-crafted and presents a dazzling testimony to a revered form of Chinese tradition and artistry.