What to Know
- Nov. 18, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019
- La Cañada Flintridge
- General tickets on sale on Oct. 15
While the holiday season is still a quarter of a year out — or, depending on when you start shopping/decorating, less than that — we're keenly aware of how swept up we're likely to be, when it all starts over again.
But the obvious antidote to the go-go-go-ness that is November, December, and early January?
In a word, nature.
And if you can find a stretch of the natural world that has been embued with some of the seasonal spirit, through illumination, art-forward décor, and soundscapes, consider that an ultimate way to love, but not be overwhelmed by, the holidays.
Or, rather, an "Enchanted" way.
Enchanted: Forest of Light has become quite the beloved, bundle-up treat at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge come the end of the year. It's an outdoor experience of lights, music, moonlight, and nighttime breezes, an outing that is merry but highly unrushed.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
And while there is no need to rush for a ticket, keep the on-sale date for general admission in mind: Oct. 15, 2018. The cost? Tickets will run $28 to $30, and kids age 2 and under are free (but, yep, they'll need a ticket, too).
As for the actual opening date of the multi-week event?
Descanso Gardens revealed on Aug. 8 that Nov. 18 will be night one of "Enchanted: Forest of Light," with Jan. 6 serving as the final evening of the 2018-2019 run.
Indeed, the Nov. 18 opening means you and your Thanksgiving guests will have something sensational to do, the weekend after turkey and football.
And if you're a Descanso Gardens member? You can buy your admission starting on the first day of October.
And if you've got to see the whole sparkly shebang first? There's Preview Party on Nov. 17, complete with brews from Golden Road Brewing, Cardinal Rules vinos, and Patina catering bites. The on-sale date is Sept. 4 and a ticket is $125.
So what can you expect at Enchanted: Forest of Light?
Majestic coastal oaks lit by a rainbow of bulbs, glowing orbs filling Descanso's delightful Japanese Garden, and a field of shimmery tulips are some of the slow-down sights you'll encounter as you wend your way through the expansive property.
A new whiskey bar near Lightwave Lake, neon benches, and "(n)ew expansions and enhancements will be made to popular displays such as 'Celestial Shadows' by HYBYCOZO, the spinning polyhedral installations that explore geometry through light, shadow, and perception as well as the Lightwave Lake light show at Descanso's lake."
Call it a sweetly serene path through the hectic holidays, a nature-fabulous stroll that magically marries branches, bulbs, and human creativity.
