Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night

The exhibit is the first at a botanical garden in the United States. It offers visitors to St. Louis the opportunity to witness one of China’s most ancient traditions.

Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night begins with a three-day celebration from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout Memorial Day weekend. Admission for the weekend is $22 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3 to 12), with discounts for members. The celebration includes a parade with 70-foot-long dancing dragon, martial arts, Chinese calligraphy, painting, authentic regional cuisine available for purchase, and tai chi and tea tasting in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden. There will be special tours that focus on the symbolism of plant species and architectural details. Acrobatic performances  are among those scheduled throughout the weekend.

The exhibit continues through Aug. 19. View the unlit works from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibit is free regular admission of $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and youngger. St. Louis city and county residents enjoy reduced daytime admission of $4 and are free on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon.

Beginning May 31, visitors can see the exhibit at night from 6 to 10 p.m Thursday through Sunday.