Opening Weekend presented by Wells Fargo Advisors
May 26—28, 2012
9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 9 p.m.)
Be among the first visitors to experience "Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night." The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual Chinese Culture Days event has been transformed and expanded to the three-day Memorial Day weekend in celebration of the grand opening of this highly anticipated exhibition. Throughout the day, view the colorful lantern installations and enjoy a Grand Parade with 70-foot dancing dragon, authentic regional cuisine, t’ai chi and tea tastings. Special tours in the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden (the Chinese Garden) focus on the symbolism of many plant species and architectural details. Throughout the evening, experience the bold color, dazzling light and striking design of the large-scale lantern sets, each full of Chinese tradition, symbolism and meaning. Lanterns are lit at 8 p.m. No trams.
Since 1996, the Garden has collaborated with the Chinese Culture Education and Services Foundation to produce an event to celebrate Chinese culture. Hundreds of community volunteers work towards producing a weekend filled with colorful Chinese pageantry, art, music and dance, history and legends, and of course, wonderful food!
Lantern Festival Grand Opening Weekend admission:
$22 adults (ages 13 & over)
$10 children (ages 3—12)
$15 Garden members
$5 Garden members' children (ages 3—12)
Free children ages 2 & under
Regular admission rates also apply for the Doris I. Schnuck Children Garden.
Garden of Light: Lantern Festival Premiere Gala
May 25, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Enjoy fabulous food and cocktails, follow a dragon parade and delight in the entertainment of a Chinese acrobatic troupe as the 26 lantern sets are illuminated for the first night of the 12-week festival.
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