If you have never wandered through a field of glowing, handcrafted Chinese lanterns on a cold night, put this on your holiday list right now. The Winter Lantern Festival returns to New York on November 19 – and this year there are two locations to choose from: Queens County Farm Museum and Snug Harbor on Staten Island.
The press release landed in my inbox this week. Here is everything you need to know.
What it is
Hundreds of huge, handcrafted Chinese lanterns turn the grounds into an illuminated night walk that takes about an hour. Think glowing tunnels, animals, flowers and scenes from ancient folklore, all lit with LEDs. There is winter-inspired food and shopping, and a live acrobatic show with award-winning performers from China – including the mesmerizing art of face-changing – all included in your ticket. The organizers say more than 650,000 people visit the festival each year, and it is easy to see why.
Location 1: Queens County Farm Museum, Glen Oaks, Queens
The closer option for us Westchester people – a 47-acre working farm that dates back to 1697, transformed into a lantern wonderland.
Dates: November 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Hours: The official ticket page currently lists Thursdays through Sundays, 5 PM – 10 PM (last entry 9 PM). Check the ticket calendar for your date, especially around the holidays.
Tickets: from $18; kids under 3 are free
Address: 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Glen Oaks, NY 11004
Photo credit: Winter Lantern Festival
Location 2: Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island
The Staten Island edition runs a week longer and kicks off Snug Harbor's 50th anniversary season – a gorgeous setting for it.
Dates: November 19, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Hours: Thursdays through Sundays, 5 PM – 10 PM (last entry 9 PM). Opening night, November 19, starts at 6:30 PM
Tickets: from $18; kids under 3 are free
Address: 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301 (festival entrance at Cottage Row and Chapel Road)
Photo credit: Winter Lantern Festival
Know before you go
Buy tickets in advance. They just went on sale (October 22) and prime weekend nights will go first.
The festival is rain or shine. If extreme weather ever closes a night, you can reschedule.
It is fully outdoors – dress warm and wear comfortable shoes.
Both venues are accessible, and service animals are welcome (no pets).
Plan to arrive well before 9 PM – that is last entry everywhere.
Each location has its own end date: Queens runs through January 3, Staten Island through January 10.
Tickets and details: Queens | Staten Island
Connecting cool people to cool things – and this one is very cool. Who is in?
