The snapping of firecrackers and incense fills the air as lion and dragon dances are performed at restaurants and markets. People are giving each other red envelopes filled with money inside, whether $1 or $100. As the season of dancing lions, sounding drums, and igniting lanterns approaches, finding the ultimate event that honors the Lunar New Year is key to getting into the festive mood.
The Radiant Nature Lights at the Houston Botanic Garden were available from November 2024 up until February 23. After reviewing the festival for the price of $28.50 per person with an additional $18 for on-site parking or $8 for a shuttle bus from a Metro station, the festival is rated in 4 categories (spaciousness/crowd management, accommodations, Instagram worthiness, and representation of Lunar New Year) to determine if it is worth the money to attend for Lunar New Year.
On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, right before Thanksgiving, it was not crowded between 8 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. However, pathways only can fit about 4-5 people in a line. During peak hours, it may be crowded due to narrow pathways resulting in limited space, so taking photos without people in the picture will be difficult. There is also no limit to how long people can stay, so some may also take longer, causing more traffic. For now, this earns ‘spaciousness/crowd management’ a 4 out of 5 stars.
Throughout the self-guided tour, there were benches that people could sit on and the walkway was wide enough for strollers and wheelchairs. The pathway was uneven, but there were big caution signs. It was also dimly lit, but the lights from the displays were bright enough to make them visible to people. Towards the middle of the walk, there weren’t that many booths since it was late. Only souvenirs representing Chinese culture were on the higher end of the price and macarons from a vendor were sold. At the beginning and the end of the walk, there is an area where drinks are sold along with bathrooms. This earns a 5 out of 5 stars for ‘accommodations.’
The light displays were aesthetically pleasing, especially at night, and showcased creativity. There were color-changing lights in the numerous different animals and objects with a mix of displays that represented the season and Chinese culture. However, faces in the majority of the images may come out dark due to the light backdrop. Besides this, the light displays earn a 5 out of 5 for ‘Instagram worthiness.’
Each display had a sign that provided information about objects, with some that originated outside of Asia. There were animals and plants, such as the Monarch Butterfly and Cherry Blossoms. The description of animals included how they survive and what they represent. For some flowers, it described what they were used for and what they symbolized. There were also displays of each Chinese zodiac along with a description, such as their personality traits. This earns a 4.5 out of 5 stars for ‘representing Lunar New Year.’
The whole walk took around 80 minutes, including taking a few pictures, looking at two vendors, and interacting with some elements at the end. With ratings of 4, 5, 5, and 4.5 for spaciousness/crowd management, accommodations, Instagram worthiness, and representation of Lunar New Year respectively, the festival overall is fun to attend.
However, the main setback is that the total is $28.50 only for admission, which does not include the $18 or $8 parking. The cost is pricey, especially for smaller parties. Therefore, it would be worth only attending once to get to know the event or once every few years. There could be similar events for cheaper to learn more about the Lunar New Year, such as the Pearland Lunar New Year festival, which is free and has many more activities, but not as many light displays as the Radiant Nature Lights.
