I am finally back with a short blog post to tell you about a very nice local adventure I went on in December of last year. I haven’t uploaded one of these in a while and it is one of the things I really want to start doing a bit more of this year, so let’s start with a small throwback to 2021!
So, about two months ago I went with my boyfriend and some friends to the Lanterna Magica event in a park located right outside of Brussels. This park is quite famous in the area because there is a beautiful castle at its centre, the Château de la Hulpe. For some years now, they have been hosting there a beautiful event to make winter a bit less depressing and grey: the Lanterna Magica.
Basically, the park is completely decorated with different types of lights and ambiences, which all follow a walking path that leads you all across the park, next to the castle and then back. There are lights, music and animations – as obviously this also attracts a lot of families with kids – and the overall atmosphere is truly magical.
The point is to go there in the evening when it is already pitch-black anyways, and follow the path. There was a beautiful musical staircase, glittering flowers on a small lake, colourful (and a bit creepy) gnomes, hanging lights in huge trees and all of this was reflected on the large lake at the centre of the park.
I realise that the way I describe this is not great, and definitely doesn’t do justice to the event, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves!
Overall, I thought that the idea was absolutely amazing, and it kinda felt like you were really walking in an enchanted and magical forest at night. Apart from the crowds, the main downside to it was the very muddy path, which distracted a bit from the gorgeous surroundings.
I loved this experience and I thought it was a really nice way to do something a bit different and make the most of the very short days we have in winter.
Is there something like this where you live?
Sunny Days with Juliette 
Lovely pictures. I find that there are more and more of these kinds of night-time installations, especially in the winter period. Although mud and cold are quite discouraging at this time of year. In Paris there is an Illumination on Evolution. I’m also thinking of the Jardins de lumière in Montreal.
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Yes, I feel like these types of things are more and more common! I can think of 2 similar ones in Brussels alone ahah, but it definitely helps to make the winter months a bit nicer! My sister told me about that event in Montreal, it seemed wonderful!
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Love the idea!!! Also a great way to get people to spend time in nature. Beautiful photos! ❤️
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Absolutely! Spending time in nature and also encourages everyone to go out a bit in the winter, which is usually so gloomy! Thanks for dropping by 😊
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The Lanterna Magica looks fantastic! I remember you writing about this perhaps a month or two ago, and I was fascinated by it. I agree with Lookoom that these nightly installations are growing in popularity during wintertime, as it’s a great way to, quite literally, “brighten up” the winter blues with some festive cheer. In LA, there are dozens of neighborhood Christmas house decorations, including a locally-known one near my home. There are also installations at the local botanical garden and also at the LA Zoo! Thanks for sharing your experience in your neck of the woods, Juliette!
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Wow amazing! I have only seen the Christmas installations on private homes in the movies but it sure looks incredible! Here no one decorates that much… But for sure it is a great way to cheer up people during the gloomy winter nights!
Having something like that in a botanical garden must be fantastic! 😊
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This looks magical! I love all the colors, what a fun place to visit especially in the cold of winter.
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Yes, the colours were beautiful and it really felt magical! Thank you for reading 😊
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Wow, what a fun adventure and a magical experience the whole family can enjoy, Juliette. It looks very similar to the Wondrous Woods event in Edinburgh where the magnificent Hopetoun House Estate woodlands are filled with the shimmers, glimmers and twinkles anyone could ask for and more. It’s amazing how nature comes to life in a display of colour and light. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Yes, absolutely! I can imagine how beautiful this must be in Edinburgh! The city in itself is just gorgeous, so all the festive lights probably make it even more beautiful! Thank you for reading! 😊
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I love it! 🙂
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Thanks for reading 😊
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So cool that they use the trees in this way. We have one here in winter called Vivid but it is always packed so I’ve avoided for years.
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Yes, it really creates a magical atmosphere! I think it can be quite packed here too, but the cold and awful weather for sure discourage many people ahah! Thanks for reading 😊
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Beautiful and romantic ❤️ what a great idea
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It was indeed quite romantic! 😊 Thank you for dropping by!
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I love your whimsical blogs, Juliette! I have seen something similar in Dubai where I was for a work trip. There’s a miracle garden there which is all lit up with different, different light arrangements – you can find everything from thematic, trippy and just glowing up lights there. Its done on a large scale so its a really different experience.
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Thanks a lot! 😊 The one you’re describing in Dubai seems amazing as well! Is it an all-year-round kind of thing?
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not sure of that. maybe it is seasonal too, although they dont have stark winters 😀
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What gorgeous photos! We have a permanent night light installation here in Malaysia called i-City – it’s sort of a theme park/attraction, but it also has lots of trees lit up with lights. Perfect for families and couples 🙂
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Wow amazing! It’s great that it is a permanent one as well, maybe there are less crowds! 😊 Thank you for dorpping by!
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Stunning pictures, Juliette! It sure does look mesmerizing. I can only imagine how awesome it must be to be in the middle of it all. Glad you got the chance to try it out before the end of 2021! 😀
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Thanks a lot! It really felt magical, but the mud and humidity kind of brought you back on earth 😂
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nightime illuminations seem to be getting more and more popular – this one looks really special!
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I agree! I feel like they do them in many places now, whereas a few years ago they were pretty rare! Thanks for reading!
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I many like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. A soon.
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Merci beaucoup! 😊
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