2019 Milwaukee China Lights Festival: Your Guide To What's New

HALES CORNERS, WI — China Lights: The Treasures of China is set to kick off starting Sept. 13 at Boerner Botanical Gardens.

The glow of 40 sculptural lantern displays will illuminate Boerner Botanical Gardens, in Whitnall Park at 9400 Boerner Drive. The festival celebrates Asian folk-culture with professional entertainment, a bustling marketplace, and a variety of food and beverage selections.

The event runs from Sept. 13–Oct. 20, Tuesday through Sunday, from 5:30–10 p.m.

Here is your guide to go to this year's festival:

40 Sculptural Lantern Displays

• This year's show features 95 percent new displays, ranging in size from 3 feet to 3 stories tall. They will be placed along a three-quarter mile walking route through the Botanical Gardens.
• There will be a 25-foot-tall Temple of Heaven, in front of the Education and Visitor Center
• The Great Wall of China will be in the Rotary Garden.
• Terra Cotta Warriors, including the emperor and horses, will be in the Shrub Mall across from the Dragon Stage
• The 150-foot Dragon with 2 baby dragons, will be across from the Rock Garden.

Animals Theme Highlights: Extinct and Endangered

• Saber-Toothed Tiger, Pandas, Bison, Polar Bears, will all be located along the east side of the Botanical Gardens

Interactive Highlights: Family Fun

• Moon Swings – the only returning display, (people must be lighter than 200 pounds to use swings), in the Interactive Area at the northwest side of the Botanical Gardens.
• Three Dinosaurs with animated heads and tails, $2 per ride. (Children must be accompanied by an adult. All riders must be lighter than 150 pounds), in the Shrub Mall between the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Dragon Stage.
• Big Piano, light and music, in the Interactive Area.

Cultural Entertainment

• Four stage shows per night; 6 shows Friday through Sunday. Schedules posted at Welcome Gate.
• Illumination Parade, about 6:15 p.m., lion parade procession, in the Shrub Mall near the Dragon Stage.
• Professional entertainment from China, at the Dragon and Panda Stages.
• Acrobatics, featuring body skills, strength, and balance, sometimes with props such as hats
• decorative poles, chairs, barrels, or hoops.
• Face Changing, changing thin masks as done in Sichuan Opera.

Folk Craft Demonstrations

• Aluminum Braiding, wire folded, bent, bound, and woven into a variety of objects, in the Marketplace Cultural Displays in the Garden House
• Temple of Heaven documentary
• Terra Cotta Warriors documentary
• Travelogue
• Construction of a Tianyu Arts & Culture lantern display

Photo Ops & Photography

• “Try On” Traditional Clothing Photo Op, near the Dragon Stage
• Angel Wings Photo Op, in the Interactive Area
• Monopods may be used throughout the night, but tripod use is limited -- from 9:30 to 10 p.m.

Asian & Western Food & Beverage

• Selections range from Sweet & Sour Chicken with egg rolls to Klement’s hot dogs, and from sake to Miller Lite.
• Dragon Plaza, picnic-table seating, near the Dragon Stage
• Zhou’s Garden Café, small-table seating with garden string lights overhead., near the Dragon Stage
• Panda Plaza, picnic-table seating, near the Panda Stage
• Ralph’s Wine and Sake Bar, with tables for two, near the comfort station, between the Panda and
• Dragon stages

Where to Park

• A map of parking lots is located on back of your admission ticket, or go here for a parking map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/...
• Dragon Reserve Lot, paved, date-specific reserved parking nearest the China Lights entrance, $10 per car. Tickets available online only.
• Complimentary Do-It-Yourself Parking, limited, first -come, first-served parking, in 10 fully lighted lots, with complimentary shuttle service from outer lots (Lots 7, 8, 9, 10)
• ADA Parking, Lot 1, accessed via South 92nd Street & West College Avenue
• Limited first-come, first-served parking for people with disabilities who have state-issued disabled parking or disabled Veteran parking license plates, or a state-issued disabled parking ID card
• For current parking lot status, tune your radio to WBBG 87.9 FM (low-frequency broadcast in the Whitnall Park Area)
• Street Parking, on parkways as posted
• Designated Drop-Off Areas, for authorized taxis/uber (Motorcoach operators must make advance
• arrangements)

Weekend Themes

Sept. 13–15, Opening Weekend

Sept. 20–22, Treasures Weekend

Sept. 27–29, Asian Cuisine/Chicago Weekend

Oct. 4–6, Moon Festival Weekend

Oct. 11–13, Cultural Weekend

Oct 18–20, Closing Weekend

Admission

• Tickets are valid any night of the regular 2019 schedule. 2019 admission is the same price as in 2018.
• Child or Senior, age 5-17 or 60+, $12
• Adult, age 18-59, $20
• VIP, includes early entry (5 p.m.), souvenir, tour (5:15 p.m.), parade participation (6:15 p.m.), VIP show seating, mobile guide, $30
• Season Pass, $50
• Mobile Guide, requires cell phone for use, provides a cultural perspective on displays. $5 on-site.
• Same-Day Return, visit the Botanical Gardens during the day, show your admission wristband at the outdoor box office before 4 p.m. for a ticket to return for $10.

Where to Buy Tickets

• Online at chinalights.org
• Boerner Botanical Gardens (same night tickets also available after 4 p.m.)
• Milwaukee County Parks Public Services Office (9480 Watertown Plank Road)
• Major Parks Golf Course