Auckland Lantern Festival

Every year Auckland Domain lights up with hundreds of handmade lanterns in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The park is transformed into a dazzling illumination of Chinese culture set in different stories. There are also a variety of Asian food stalls, performances, martial arts demonstrations, traditional Chinese arts and crafts and fireworks. And the best part is entrance is FREE!  

I had fun walking around looking at the displays, with the cool summer breeze making the crowds bearable. The crowds tend to increase later in the evening and there is a long queue at the food stalls. You can bring your own food, sit on the grass and have a picnic if you can find a good spot. Parking can also be a hassle so I recommend taking the bus or walking.

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