Winter Lantern Festival to be held indoors for the first time at American Dream

The event, which is normally outside, is now decorating the second floor of the megamall, right above the ice rink.

Karina Gerry

Nov 4, 2023, 2:25 AM

Updated 334 days ago

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The Winter Lantern Festival is making its indoor debut in New Jersey at the American Dream in East Rutherford.
The event, which is normally outside, is now decorating the second floor of the megamall, right above the ice rink.
“It provides our visitors the ability to enjoy our display and enjoy our lanterns. At the same time get away from all the cold and snow and rain,” Xiao Tian Falig, operations manager for the Winter Lantern Festival, explained.
In its four-year history, the festival has never been indoors and has had to close every time it snowed or rained.
The beautiful lanterns are inspired by Chinese myths, legends and the zodiac. Each one is handcrafted by artists in China.
“All of our lanterns are 100% handmade, from the frame that's underneath each lantern, to the material that’s wrapped on top, to the painting, to the details of the painting,” Falig said.
The whimsical light display isn’t the only attraction. Life-size dinosaurs line one wall, and next to that display are handmade jewelry and crafts.
The festival runs until Jan. 2.