Moonlight Forest
Are you ready for an enchanting evening of illuminating lights, and stunning artwork on beautiful garden grounds in the heart of Arcadia, California? Well, on from now until January the 12th is the Moonlight Forest Magical Lantern Art Festival at the Los Angeles Arboretum. Wednesday - Sunday at 5:30 pm the sun goes down and the lights go on, and this is an incredible evening event not to be missed!
Welcome to the Moonlight Forest!
Photography by Crystal Olguin
Luckily, Mike and Crystal Olguin were on the Scene, and we captured some dazzling pictures and a fun video just for you on New Year’s Eve! Decked out in some fashionable light-up headwear, we hit the gardens ready for some stunning shots of everything all around us. And believe me, we were truly dazzled and amazed!
Let Moonlight Forest transport you into a fantasy world of magical lights and hand-crafted lanterns under the sea in the “Ocean Visions” exhibit, a winter wonderland with the “Polar Dreams” area, and “Magical China” as a nod to where these exotic light festivals originated from.
My favorite was the colorful Chinese Dragon over Baldwin Lake. Stunningly epic!
Photography by Crystal Olguin
The animals crafted out of wire, fabric, paint, and light were simply breathtaking (and sometimes, also funny) but what my photos don’t show is the delicate movement assigned to these artistic animals, like these towering butterflies. (Check out the video that does them more justice!) I couldn’t believe my eyes as the LED lights would change and shift colors completely while the wings gently flutter up and down!
Photography by Crystal Olguin
Check out all of these different animals. As we were passing by a family we heard a sweet 6 year old girl exclaim: “Oh no, a snake? Go away SNAKE!” (see last picture in the series below)
Our eyes were wide and our senses were tickled as we walked around this outdoor fantasy world! Our familiar Arboretum felt like a whole other world completely and we were astounded by all of the lights, music, and stunning beauty.
At 6:00, 7:30 and 8:30 the Chinese Acrobats performed followed by a “Face Changer” which is a traditional art of changing masks as fast as lightning from one to another like a quick-change magician!
I think the video better explains our magical experience had at the Moonlight Forest Festival. Click play to see some highlights of our NYE adventure. :
For more details about this year’s event please check out the website :
Photography by Crystal Olguin
Thanks for reading and enjoying the illuminated beauty with us! Happy 2020 all! Make it a beautiful one!
-Mike and Crystal Olguin
December 31, 2019
Photography by Crystal Olguin
