Lantern festivals originated in China’s Han Dynasty in honor of the Buddha, and they’ve spread all over Asia as a way to mark the end of Lunar New Year. The 15-day celebration welcoming the year of the Fire Horse culminates on February 17 this year, and GlowFest is here to help you celebrate.
“GlowFest is more than a light show. It’s an immersive journey through art, culture, storytelling and imagination. You’ll see and explore handcrafted lanterns, interactive installations and vibrant cultural displays,” program director David Valenzuela said at the December 20 grand opening.
The six-acre festival partnered with Dragon Lights LLC based in Zigong, China—a world-famous destination for its lantern festivals. It took several months for more than 100 artists to create, paint, wire and ship the structures overseas.
“There was a team of about 15 artisans that worked day and night over the course of about a month to fully construct the set at the parking lot beside the Las Vegas Monorail Sahara station," Valenzuela adds.
At the nuts-and-bolts level, artfully airbrushed translucent cloth is stretched over metal frames that are lit from within. Some tower or provide shelter over visitors or vendors. Others are more life-size and invite you to interact.
Altogether, it’s an immersive installation that takes you on a journey through five distinct “realms.” Lush with plants and flowers, the nature realm transports viewers to a jungle of light. The ocean realm is a sea of sparkling blue filled with colorful corals, seahorses, whales and mermaids. QR codes aid with the storytelling.
GlowFest also offers its take on the night market with the help of Market in the Alley and Fortune Events. Booths—selling everything from toys and trinkets to clothes to handmade bath products—are clustered throughout the grounds. As for the food options, they will rotate. On opening night, Nisei Bar & Grill, Signora Pizza and Ole’ Churros warmed us up and fueled our exploration.
The coming months have several performances from local groups in store—lion dances from Lohan School of Shaolin Kung Fu, Japanese taiko drumming from LV Kaminari Taiko, traditional lotus dance from Las Vegas Chinese Dance Academy and instrumentalists from Lin Hon Music Group. Performers will be announced on GlowFest’s social media (instagram.com/glowfestlv).
“It’s really a place where different cultures can come and celebrate together, sharing different foods, walking around and seeing these beautiful [lanterns],” Valenzuela says.
GLOWFEST Thru February 22, Thursday & Sunday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5-11 p.m., $26-$43. 2600 Paradise Road, glowfest.com.
