Dramatic display of giant lanterns set to illuminate Leeds park

Leeds is set to host the UK's biggest Chinese lantern festival this winter '“the first time it has come to Yorkshire.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Sep 2016, 00:00 BST
Updated 15th Sep 2016, 16:04 BST
The UKs biggest Chinese lantern festival is coming to Yorkshire for the first time this winter. Dragons the length of three buses and 40,000 light bulbs used to create more than 30 giant handmade lantern displays will illuminate Roundhay Park in Leeds from November 25 to January 2.The UKs biggest Chinese lantern festival is coming to Yorkshire for the first time this winter. Dragons the length of three buses and 40,000 light bulbs used to create more than 30 giant handmade lantern displays will illuminate Roundhay Park in Leeds from November 25 to January 2.
The UKs biggest Chinese lantern festival is coming to Yorkshire for the first time this winter. Dragons the length of three buses and 40,000 light bulbs used to create more than 30 giant handmade lantern displays will illuminate Roundhay Park in Leeds from November 25 to January 2.

Dragons the length of three buses and 40,000 light bulbs will be used to create more than 30 giant handmade lantern displays which will illuminate 10 acres of Roundhay Park from November 25 to January 2

The festival – which will support the Jane Tomlinson Appeal – will centre around a winding, dramatically lit lantern trail, with displays featuring lanterns as wide as 20m. There will also be a separate entertainment area and food village, which is free to enter, with a paid-for outdoor ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, mini fun fair and virtual reality experience. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The festival, run by Weli Creative, launched in London last winter and attracted more than 110,000 people in six weeks.

Ian Xiang, co-founder and creative director, said: “Lantern festivals have been running for more than 2,000 years across Asia, but they are still new to the West. After the success of our first in London, we had to come to Yorkshire. Roundhay Park is an amazing place for us to illuminate and celebrate Christmas and Chinese New Year.

“Most of the lanterns are actually made in my hometown in China, so it makes me incredibly proud to see them come all this way across to the UK.”

Mike Tomlinson, husband of the late Jane, added: “It’s great to have the support for our charity from this completely new and exciting festival for Yorkshire.”

Tickets are available from www.magicallantern.uk

Related topics:LeedsYorkshireRoundhay ParkTickets