L.A.’s Moonlight Forest
If you’re familiar with the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, then you already know it offers 127 acres of natural, horticultural, and historic resources that encourage learning, enjoyment, and inspiration year-round. However, the holiday season now becomes even brighter at the LA Arboretum with its second annual Moonlight Forest. Once the sun sets, nearly 60 Chinese lantern displays & sculptures adorn a 1-mile path throughout the arboretum grounds.
The Sculptures
These huge sculptures were designed and created by skilled crafts-people from China. Made with bright and colorful fabric stretched over outlined frames with handpainted details, these giant lanterns are beautiful to view during the day, but even more exciting at night, as they light up with thousands of LED lights.
Daytime
With your daytime admission ticket you can enjoy exploring over 10,000 species of plants from all over the world, as well as 4 historic landmark buildings and over 100 peacocks that roam the grounds. From December through the first two weeks of January, you can also stroll the Moonlight Forest path during the day and see all the brightly colored exhibits pop like wonderful larger than life cartoons before the sun goes down.
Nighttime
At night, the Moonlight Forest Magical Lantern Arts Festival transforms the arboretum from a calm and natural oasis to a bright and lively twinkling wonderland with nearly 60 unique exhibits to explore.
Nature’s Treasures Exhibit
There are 4 major themed areas to enjoy. Nature’s Treasures returns from last year, and includes over 20 stunning plant and wildlife structures, as well as a dream like Moon and Stars path that is not to be missed.
Magical China Exhibit
Also returning this year is the incredible Magical China area, which includes a giant Chinese dragon floating over the water, as well as detailed opera masks, a giant glowing temple, and a lantern corridor you can stroll under.
Polar Dreams Exhibit
New this year is the Polar Dreams exhibit, featuring 5 winter themed displays. Here you’ll find Santa on his sleigh guided by reindeer around a glowing Christmas tree.
Ocean Visions Exhibit
Also new to this year’s exhibit is Ocean Visions. You’ll see dolphins frolicking above you and jellyfish lighting up the night here. One of the overall crowd favorites this year, though, has to be the giant shark tunnel. While walking through this big guy, I was reminded of my time swimming with the whale sharks and giant manta rays, and how truly majestic our oceans (and all the creatures who call it home here) really are.
Interactive Exhibits
There are also five interactive exhibits this year, including giant Chinese drums (which were a big hit with kids both young and old), and moonlight swings that change color and glow…the aerialist in me absolutely loved these as you can see below. 😉
Food & Entertainment
You can enjoy a bite to eat at the food trucks or cafe…and you can even treat yourself to an adult beverage if you’re so inclined. While the lights are the main attraction, you don’t want to miss the on stage entertainment. There are 3 shows nightly (with a 4th added on the weekends), which include Chinese acrobats and face changers.
Important facts to keep in mind when visiting:
• Tickets to the nighttime Moonlight Forest must be purchased separately from daytime admission.
• Tickets must be purchased for specific date and time slots
• Tickets are non refundable and are for rain or shine.
• There is a specific Uber and Lyft drop off area if you don’t want to fight the parking lot crowds.
• There is no smoking or vaping allowed anywhere on the grounds.
• Hours of operation are Wed-Sun, 5:30-10pm, Nov 9 to Jan 12.
• You can enter up to 15 minutes before your ticketed time.
• Crowds grow as the evening goes on, so the path is quietest the first hour of the evening (5:30-6:30pm).
• This is a one mile gentle self guided tour.
In Summary & Behind the Blog Video
The Moonlight Forest is a special treat and a unique way to kick off the holiday season in Los Angeles.
Make sure to check out the Behind the Blog video below for more twinkling fun. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!