

(Speaking of dinner, yes, the Dogwood Café will be open extended hours on Friday and Saturday – until 7 p.m. The fest looks amazing even during the daytime. The detail on display in the shining safari is downright exquisite, and pretty much guarantees you’ll want to take it slow the construction of the creations involves everything from glass bottles to dinner plates. There are a couple of slight hills, but don’t worry about getting tired.
#Chinese lantern festival huntsville full#
It’s a full mile long, over a mix of compacted gravel and paved areas that’s perfect for sneakers and strollers.

When they call it the biggest exhibit the Garden has ever hosted, they mean it. They’re not just for illumination-they’re for edification, education, examination.Īnd, sure, for exercise… Every view is gorgeous at the Huntsville event. There are limitless photo opportunities at the event. We’re talking more than 1,000-yes, 1,000-brilliantly colored life-sized depictions of fauna from around the world, everything from the panda to the praying mantis, all hailing from the town of Zigong, China’s lantern heritage capital. (Photo by Lee Roop)īecause by “lantern festival,” we’re not talking a display of the generic white orbs you can buy off Amazon in 10-packs, or the paper sacks that set sail off the coast of Okinawa to mourn the passing of Mr. The festival is a sight to see at nighttime. They’re calling it “The Wild,” and it’s pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime kinda thing.

The Chinese Lantern Festival only lasts through May 19. Grab some Capri-suns and Animal Crackers, throw the kids in the car, and set the GPS for Huntsville Botanical Gardens, 4747 Bob Wallace Ave.- and soon. It doesn’t matter if the drive is 40 minutes or four hours.
