I've been to China Lights on a couple of occasions and have always found it delightful. China Lights tansforms Boerner Botanical Gardens to a glittering display. You can wander at look at the lights and there's also occasional classic Chinese arts performances to enjoy. We didn't try any of the food but near the performance area there were several vendors offering a variety of food to purchase and dining tables where you can sit and enjoy (very much food court style vibe). One thing I will note: where we were directed to part required traversing very uneven ground. Not a problem for my husband and I but was glad my parents opted to stay home as I think they would have found it difficult. If that's the case for you as well, my suggestion would be to inquire about any sort of accessible parking. Beyond that, a wonderful time. We don't go every single year but when we do go, we so enjoy! Get to it! read more

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A good cultural and visual experience for the entire family. There are vendors with food and beverages at the event. I wish I had known that there were vendors at the site. Neither the website nor the reminders sent to me indicated so. My friend from China was especially excited about the food. She even asked for a card. Parking is very well organized. Bundle up and have make it a full cultural experience! read more

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While we had a fun time at China Lights I think there are things that can definitely be improved on to make it better. It's great that they limit ticket sales but there were still far far too many people there to be able to truly enjoy it. People are allowed to enter in their time slot, but then can stay as long as they want meaning everyone who entered earlier could stay there the whole night. Signage could be improved because it was hard to find food and drink and to know where we were going and if we even say everything. It felt like we were on a conveyor belt of people just shuffling along without truly getting to enjoy what we were seeing. If we wanted to stop for a photo or to look longer at a display I felt guilty holding up the people behind me. Three stars for the displays because they were beautiful, but the logistics need to be vastly improved for future years to actually make it enjoyable. read more

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China Lights has been enjoyed for years now so a review is well overdue! Each year delivers new lights and exhibits with a new theme, as well as new entertainment on the stage by the highly skilled performers. This year we were wow'd by performances never seen before and were impressed with the strength and balance so clearly needed. The blues, pinks and purples this year were gorgeous during sunset and into the evening. The activity area continues to grow with more interactive displays and photo-opportunities galore. My new favorite this year was the mirrored jellyfish house. Food and snacks are available and affordable, which is great for those who don't plan for dinner before attending the show. Free parking was a short walk from the entrance but paid/ VIP parking is also available closer to the Garden Building. Prices have increased quite a bit since we've started coming to China Lights and the coupons don't seem to be found as readily (or at all lately) so this could be a pricey event for a family to attend. While China Lights is beautiful and the performances are great, being able to buy tickets at a discounted price is something we miss with the increased admission prices. read more

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China Lights has to be one of my favorite yearly traditions. The artistry, creativity and ingenuity of the designers is always on full display and I'm excited to what changes from year to year. Their beautiful work set against the backdrop of the Gardens is the perfect collaboration between artist and nature. This year I watched the special performance. I was floored by the ability of these performers. Multiple balancing acts and dancers had the audience mesmerized. I hope we can keep them coming back for years to come. read more

China Lights Wisconsin - Festivals Near Me - Hales Corners, Wisconsin

I go to this every year because I like lights and it's a fun evening. This year, however, was a bit off. First of all, my tickets were for 5:30pm, they didn't even open the parking until after that time which is unusual. Second, I appreciate that the installation was new and clean and bright but it also seemed sparse compared to years in the past. Places that usually had lanterns set up were bare. Third, the big marquee piece that is usually full of movement was a big static fish this year. A bit disappointing after Alice's Tea Party a few years ago. Beautiful, but not quite as amazing as past years. Fourth, there was no crazy lights pulsing music rave tunnel like there have been in years past. The most memorable is probably the giant whale from a few years ago. The lilies were colorful but it was missing some music. I'm not exactly disappointed or upset, but it was noticeably less. That being said the 9-tailed fox at the entrance and the zodiac signs were spectacular. As was the butterfly garden. The Jack-o-Lantern automaton and the musical skeleton were nice touches. The underwater stuff was nice but I feel like I've seen some of that in prior years. It's like they pick a theme but have a hard time carrying it all the way through. read more

This is our second year in a row going to China Lights. It is truly beautiful and stunning and each year adds new items so you're not repeating the same viewing. We always come early due to the children needing to get to bed at a certain time- BUT it is worth seeing even in the day light. Just lovely and nice for pictures if you want to see yourselves as well as the lights. Parking is always somewhat dramatic because it is a big busy venue. There is a lot of walking as well and weather can be for or against you- just be aware of that. I do enjoy this very much and hope you do too!! Make sure you can see it in the pitch dark if you are able to read more

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The China Lights are beautiful and worth an evening troll through the botanical gardens. I'm glad I took the trip to see them. Judging from previous Yelp reviews, this is kind of a "one and done" experience because there are not a lot of changes. However, I can see how some families would make this a yearly tradition. There are some things to be prepared for. I went on a Friday night ant the amount of people was kind of surprising (and the weather wasn't great, so it might have been way more if it was nicer). Trails through some areas were extremely populated and there were back ups. Mainly caused by people or groups stopping for pictures (which is totally expected when seeing the displays). Parking is not very well marked and many lots were full. I asked questions (from my car window) of the people holding the flashlights, but no one seemed too interested in answering... just keep moving. Handicapped or older people might have a rough time because it would be a tough walk through the un-level and slightly hilly grass fields. It was raining a bit that evening and it was a bit slippery too. Some food and drinks were available, but lines were pretty long. Wanted some hot chocolate, but decided that it's wasn't worth the wait. By 8:30 it did start to clear out. Maybe that would be the best time to come! read more

China Lights Wisconsin - Spinning Tunnel -Starry Night - Festivals Near Me - Hales Corners, Wisconsin

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Vary beautiful vibrant lighting some cool entertainment a Nice way to spend an evening with your family

I honestly didn't know what to expect from this event; however, I was pleasantly surprised. I was not expecting this level of artisanship. I liked the different themed sections - my favorite was the underwater area where the puffer fish actually puffed lol. There was a cool animatronic creature that would awaken, talk and move - very cool. They did have some limited food options but I would eat somewhere else first. They had random different beers available for purchase from the beer gardens that had recently closed. The theme is different every year from what I gathered so it definitely worth seeing again. However, I would avoid a rainy day because it did get a bit slick in areas even thought it had stopped raining. read more

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This was my first time going to China Lights Wisconsin in Boerner Botanical Garden with my husband! Every year is a different theme with this year's theme being year of the dragon! We had the most incredible time mesmerized by the beautiful unique lantern displays such as the Dragon King, flower tunnel, and zodiac lanterns! China Lights highlights the beautiful art and traditions of traditional Chinese lantern festivals celebrated all over Asia for hundreds of years! This event is great for the whole family including kids! There are even performances of Chinese classical arts and fun performances mostly every hour before 8:30pm each night. They also have a fun interactive playground or play area that's fun for the kids and some food booths but I thought the prices were a little high. My husband and I were not familiar with the area or layout of the event but luckily we got there super early. We didn't have any issues with parking. If it is your first time going or you are not familiar with the area, I highly recommend getting there early or thoroughly researching the parking options on the China Lights Wisconsin website because the event can get extremely crowded as a popular event and parking maybe be super difficult. There is a close up paid parking lot options then other free multiple parking lots with shuttle bus also available. Once you get there, you will be so entranced by the beautiful lantern displays with vivid beautiful colors which is truly works of arts! I recommend planning for at least two hours to get through the event and going on weekday when it may be less crowded. When we went, it was very crowded and the different parking lots filled up very quickly but still very enjoyable! It is definitely worth it to visit China Lights Wisconsin but definitely plan out your visit and research well before going to make your experience the best possible! read more

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What a great time!! We didn't know what to expect but China lights didn't disappoint!! Only adjustments I would make is I would have gotten the later evening tickets. It was beautiful. They have tons of food, a shuttle to and from where we parked!! Worth the drive to see this amazing display!! read more

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Took advantage of the 1/2 priced tickets and saw the China Lights on Saturday evening. We were so happy we did as they were beautiful and nicely laid out. Being Saturday, it was quite busy, especially since the weather was gorgeous, but there was only one section where it was overwhelmingly crowded and hard to walk, other than that we were able to take our time and enjoy the beauty. Would highly recommend! read more

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I am admittedly a regular for the China lights show. It is one of the fall events my son and I look forward to every year and we are never disappointed. I always purchase my tickets on line with ease and have never had to wait in line to get in. Normally arriving around 6:00 so we can catch the show in daylight and walk through again when it gets dark! The food vendors were just okay for me this year as everything was overpriced and the wait times were extensive. As for the display itself - WOW! It was beautifully done with all new lanterns this year. This is a great event for families, dates, or to quietly stroll through on your own. Highly recommend! read more

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China Lights 2023 was fabulous. The creators returned the more traditional show this year. It was a beautiful tribute to the intent of the show -- to educate attendees about the craft of Chinese lantern making and Chinese culture. The lights were colorful, interactive, and educational. There were many that you could take photos inside or walk through. There were some that require you to interact with them in order to make the colors change. It's almost like an amusement park of lights. There was even a play area for kids that made me want to regress a few decades to fit in! Wait for a chilly evening and go see The China Lights. Take a friend, a loved one, a few rambunctious and curious kids (the kind who like to point and keep asking, "what's that"?). Go out for hot cocoa when you leave but take lots of photos, laugh, and have a well-lit fun time! My only warning is: Don't waste money on the food court! Most of it has nothing to do with Chinese culture. It's cheap quality, state-fair type food, beer, sodas, kettle corn, and very poorly constructed souvenirs that won't last very long! Take photos! Save your money and go out for a real authentic Chinese dinner (practice your chop stick skills) before or after. Buy really good hot cocoa bombs and go home and share your photos and memories with each other -- especially if you have kids! Make it a great night without wasting money on junk! The lights are magnificent! Keep it all about the lights and you'll have a fabulous time! read more

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It was a wonderful experience. Truly magical, colorful and entertaining. Great way to spend the evening. Perfect for a date or family night. Food was really good, definitely worth it! read more

China Lights Wisconsin - Festivals Near Me - Hales Corners, Wisconsin

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My fiancé and I had a great date here. We were able to have great conversation while walking through the lights. My favorite part was the flower bridge. There was decent options for food. We got boba tea and egg rolls. We also loved the show, my favorite act being the face changing! Parking was a little challenging to find in the dark, but we appreciated the shuttles from the farther parking lots. Definitely worth a visit whether for a date or with your family. read more

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China Lights 2023: Same location, but all new displays. Personally, I found this year's theme to be far superior to last year's "Alice in Wonderland". It is primarily ocean/underwater themed, but there is also some jungle, insect, and even dinosaurs thrown into the mix. In addition to the gorgeous lights there's also food/snack options (I didn't partake so I won't go into details, but it did smell delicious) and restrooms throughout. Parking is offered at a satellite site with a free bus to the exhibits. All the staff I interacted with were welcoming and friendly. Only minor complaint was the entrance was a little chaotic with two attendees checking tickets on phones, but no clear/organized lines. I hope this fun tradition continues next year and I can't wait to see what theme they come up with. Doughboy_Food_Reviews read more

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Wow! My husband and I spent a Saturday evening here at the end of October and it was so cool. The Alice in Wonderland theme was memorable and beautiful. The teacups dangling above you as you walk down a wooden bridge through the woods was particularly cool. At the end the tree whose colored lights were based on the drums beat frantically by children young and old was super cool and the light up playground was a HIT with kiddos. It was a beautiful and fun way to spend the evening and I am certain folks who brought their children had a hard time convincing them it was time to go home after such a colorful and engaging outdoor treat. read more

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China lights is approximately $28 each for adults. Plus you'll probably buy food or drink. You can park further away for free (they have shuttles though) or $10 close. I've enjoyed attending China Lights in the past but it started to feel like the same thing year after year. This year they had a new theme, Alice in Wonderland. There were so many new displays in this theme and some of the traditional ones as well. Alice and her friends were beautiful, whimsical and detailed. Included were signs for each display with a helpful explanation. New interactive displays (great for a photo) included a kaleidoscope and glowing wings. The glowing swings were a hit again this year. Food, drink and trinkets were available for purchase. Port a potties and indoor bathrooms were available. It was a fun outdoor experience with a great refresh. read more

Even better than expected. Beautiful displays in a very nice venue. Well worth the price of admission. Highly recommended.

In past years when we went to China Lights, it had been cold. This year we experienced a warm spell which was a plus. We arrived right at 5:30. There were aine of cars to enter complimentary parking but it was quick and orderly. Staff was friendly and helpful throughout the garden. Getting in and out was easy. Just watch out for pedestrians that are parked further out. The theme of the display was Alice in Wonderland. The displays were beautiful and worth the time to get outside walk with family and friends. There were food vendors and a stage show. The Asian Street food vendor was okay. It was your average Chinese food fair. Prices were fair for food. It wasn't inflated from what you would have paid elsewhere. Fair food tends to be double the price. Overall it is worth the visit to take these short walk and then hang out in the garden area. I recommend purchasing discounted tickets as it can be expensive for a family with older kids. read more

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This was such a cool event! My boyfriend and I went into this experience with no idea what it was and we had a great time. The displays were extremely impressive and there was always something new to look at. It was crowded but for the most part their was a steady flow of traffic throughout the different areas of the event. There were quite a few food vendors throughout the event area as well. I highly recommend for any group! read more

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First time coming here. We got here around 7:45pm on a Wed. It was kind of chilly, perfect hoodie fall weather. I'm glad we came later because all the displays were vibrant and colorful. There were a decent amount of people but it wasn't crowded and people moved along quickly. Not too many kids as it was late and chilly. We did catch a show which was pretty neat. They had an acrobat balancing items, a dragon dance and a face changing dance. There were also a good amount of food and drink stalls. Definitely check out this gem if you haven't! I'm not sure if they change the them yearly but will be back next year to find out! read more

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Lots of fun! Parking wasn't marked well because there's not many street lights on the way in, but you park in a lot about a mile away and take a bus in. Planning on coming back next year it was really cool! read more

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One of my favorite experiences of the year as the show was really well put together and a nice night of fun in a different unique way. Make sure you sit and enjoy the show because they have performances that will blow you away and have you leaving puzzled. I truly also enjoyed the variety of food vendors that existed to add to the experience. I also appreciated not having to worry about parking with their shuttles set up from further lots for convenience. read more

China Lights Wisconsin - Festivals Near Me - Hales Corners, Wisconsin

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Year 2 review! The China lights were exquisite this year. It was a beautiful fall evening and the exhibits were a sight to see. If you haven't been yet, there is still time. It's going until the end of this month. read more

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Had an awesome time at China lights last night. Decided to do family trip there and it was allot of fun. The themes were so colorful. I think I took a million photos. The kids loved all the interactive lights. Great place to take pictures, watch performances, and get a snack. We will be attending next year for sure. read more

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This was seriously one of the coolest things we've been to this year. I was amazed oh how many lights there were. The kids had an absolute blast! We got there right away and had no problem parking. They offered lots of Food options, but we didn't eat there. read more

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What a beautiful setup. I wasn't sure what to expect and was really amazed at the lights and venue. It was very peaceful. The free parking they offer is not far and just right down a hill so I'd recommend taking that. They do offer food but it was really expensive. I got a Thai iced tea and it was 7 dollars and not that good. The variety show was nice and we got a good laugh out of the foot juggler. The ladies loved it The staff were all very friendly as you walked through the displays and helpful. Our favorite part was the drum tree where the beats color the tree. What a cool idea. read more

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China Lights is the absolute coolest. The exhibition lights and the theming is just terrific. Last year was our first time, and this year was just as good. Parking is easy and they have plenty of food and hot cocoa stands. The only negative is that it is crazy crowded with families and young kids. Which in itself is perfectly fine, but when we were there it was extremely rowdy and some families/groups were extremely rude, which took away from the experience a bit. We're talking kids purposely running into and pushing people that had food and drinks in their hands and laughing about it, with their adults and staff not really doing anything about it. Not the fault of China Lights but it did dull the experience. I wish they would consider doing adults nights next year because it's such a great event. read more

I was so happy to get back to China Lights! A volunteer told us that the last time they were operating was 2019. We bought the early entry tickets and I'm glad we did. Highly recommend this option if you're willing/able to spend the extra money. We were able to park and enter early - 5pm. We walked around the park and had the place to ourselves. We also received a souvenir and a tour as part of the early entry fee. I really liked our tour guide and we learned some new things! Alice in Wonderland is not my favorite theme but I thought everything was beautiful and fun. I enjoyed the traditional exhibits the best. We bought some cheese curds and coffee. The weather has a big impact on this event and we were lucky our weather was lovely! There were lots of food options and the lines didn't look too long. Wonderful event for kids and adults alike. We will come back next year! read more

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WI weather is unpredictable. So who knew it would be a perfect fall night on a Saturday in late October. That said the crowds level hit a record and they were sold out. Always plan ahead especially since the main lot filled quickly and the only other option was to park in the overflow lot and bus in. Be sure to add 1/2 hour to your transit time. Amy was our bus driver and she was funny, informative and even had glow sticks for the kids. Because of the high crowd level there were a few lines for photo ops but overall managed chaos. The exhibits are numbered and be sure to go in order for the best experience. Do not miss the show. Not sure how the table tosser, hula hoop girl or barrel balancer discovered their skills but it was definitely entertaining. If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland this may be your Instagram moment. I know costs have gone up but thought it was a little pricey for families. Overall a good time and experience for anyone over the age of 7. read more

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What a fun and beautiful family event! I have heard about China Lights over the years and this year we were fortunate enough to go and bring out 1 year old twins! The displays are just stunning! We loved the bright, vibrant colors. Our favorites were the moving and talking birds and the peacock was so cool! The Alice in Wonderland theme was beautifully done and everything was well laid out and easy to follow. We wanted to watch the show a bit longer but the boys were antsy. They also offered Asian street food among other things which was a nice addition! I really enjoyed my sweet and sour chicken from Milwokee! Overall I really recommend this unique and stunning activity! read more

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Such a beautiful experience, stunning sites around each corner. The music they had playing in the background was very soothing. The food options were great and one of the vendors had hot Horchata, and it was the best I've ever had! read more

China Lights Wisconsin - Lilly pad lights - Festivals Near Me - Hales Corners, Wisconsin

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This is my third time going and it seems to get better each time (the themes have been different each time). The lanterns are beautiful and I am always in awe of the work and detail that goes into putting together such extraordinary displays. It feels like you are walking in another world. In addition to the lanterns, the cultural show was fun to watch. If possible, try to go on a weekday. Parking and crowds have never been a problem. The place is open until 10pm. If you can get there by 8pm, you should be able to catch the last show of the night (at 8:30pm) and also have enough time to walk around. read more

What a rip off! Because you have to sign up for a time slot, one would think there would be some sort of crowd control. But greed is a strong motivator. It was so, so crowded! And we watched as more and more people just kept pouring in. Not one bit enjoyable. Don't waste you time. Don't waste your money. Unless you like massive crowds of people pushing and shoving. Or you may like standing in long lines!? Then this is for you. They didn't even have enough bathrooms!! read more

It was absolutely beautiful!! I will say the food was not that good but all the lights were gorgeous & it was just a nice time walking through the property looking at all the pretty lights. Loved the random little interactive pieces like the dome which was probably my favorite thing! read more

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Our kids (4 & 2) love China lights, look forward to it every year, pretty sure even more than they look forward to Santa. Tips: 1. The free parking lot is practically just as close as the paid lot. 2. If you can, go on the week day. There was heavy foot traffic through the light display this year on a Friday, and a very long line to get in on a Saturday . 3. There are bathrooms (rather than port a pottys) by the entrance, to the right if you're walking in, right before the ramp. And by the place where they sell hot cider. I recommend trying to go before you get there though. 4. Food options: (A) by the kids play area (to the right of entrance)- Gift of Wings (American), Tanpopo (Asian street food). (B) by the stage - MIL WOK E (chineese), (3) Po' Manz (soul food ), corn on the cob (CASH ONLY) read more

Such an all around wonderful experience! Magical light installations in beautiful botanical gardens and great little show with various Chinese performance styles to top it off! Evening well spent! read more

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