Go on an adventure in a magical forest a few steps north of the 7 train line.
The Tianyu Lights Festival is in two Citi Field parking lots until Sunday, Jan. 19.
In Queens for the first time, this experience mixes traditional Chinese folklore with modern day light technology to offer a wonderland of art, music, dance, food, and a marketplace filled with handcrafted treasures.
Ticket prices run from $26.03 to $34.99 online. (They’re also available at the gate.)
The theme is based on Koda and his father who go on a long-anticipated journey into the Amazon rainforest. Every night, the seven-year-old has trouble sleeping, so while lying under his blankets, he sketches everything he saw during the day. However, his memories and imagination start to merge – perhaps due to his excitement – creating a magical fusion of animals and plants.
As part of the game, Koda needs help to find his missing memory fragments. Visitors experience his imagination through luminous lights and lanterns as they help him recall his memories. Make sure to read each hint carefully and pay attention as prizes go to those who make their way through this adventure.
The route is about one mile, and organizers suggest each party spend 90 minutes on site.
The Tianyu Lights Festival is in Lots E & F at 41 Seaver Way. The Mets-Willets Point subway station is nearby, and parking is available for $30 per car. (Enter through Gate 6 to access parking.)
The festival is open daily, including holidays, from 5 pm to 10 pm with the last entry at 9 pm. However, it will be closed on Dec. 9, Dec. 16, Dec. 20, and Jan. 6. Visitors need to arrive on time at the slot window of their tickets.
The organizer, Tianyu Arts & Culture, is a Chinese lantern festival company that has produced 86 festivals in 78 cities across the United States. This is the first ever in New York City.
Images: Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc.