Enchanted: Forest of Light

Around the holidays, Descanso Garden transforms their botanical garden into an interactive, nighttime experience filled with art installations and light displays called Enchanted: Forest of Light. If you haven’t been to this event before, then you definitely need to go this year! They change some of their art pieces every year so if you see something that you like, don’t assume it’ll be there next year.

Hours

Enchanted: Forest of Light is open everyday except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

November 18, 2018 to January 6, 2019
5:30PM to 10PM

Address/Directions

Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Admission

You will need to purchase your tickets online and select a time slot. At time time of your purchase, you have an option to select admission only or admission plus a dinner reservation at Maple. The tickets are $30 per person.

Parking

There is a free parking lot at Descanso Gardens. Depending on the time and day that you go, you may need to drive around for a while until a spot opens up. Luckily for us, we didn’t spend that long looking for one. There are traffic control crossing guards to help guide you as well.

Restrooms

There are restrooms located near the entrance of Descanso Gardens next to a couple of food stands and shops.

Enchanted: Forest of Light

The first thing to keep in mind is that this event is held during the nighttime and it is outside, so it can get cold – make sure to bring a jacket! The second thing is that the event is a one-mile walking event. Wear comfortable shoes.

There are a total of 10 light displays at Enchanted: Forest of Light and they are spread out. There are maps throughout the garden or you can also save this map –

Enchanted Marketplace

The Enchanted Marketplace is a nice area where you can purchase food and drinks before entering Descanso Gardens. They offer hot dogs, snacks, hot chocolate, coffee, beer, wine and some liquor.

You can also visit their gift shop here.

When you enter the event, there is a lit up sign that you can take a picture at. If there is a line and you don’t want to wait, you can take the picture on your way out.

Flower Power

This is the first display that you’ll see and it features a field of tulips that are lit up with different colors. The colors change giving you a dynamic photo.

You can also stand on one of the benches to get this kind of picture.

Rainbow Sycamores

After the Flower Power display is the Rainbow Sycamores. You are able to control the colors of these different sycamores by touching them! If you want to take a picture with all the sycamores and no one else in it, it is impossible.

Starlight Garden feat. Celestial Shadows

We spent the most time at this next display and when you see it, you’ll understand why. The first part of this installation is a walkway with glowing stars overhead. This is a great spot for a photo but since it is a walkway, you’ll have to time it right and wait for people to pass.

When we were satisfied with our pictures, we kept walking and found ourselves in another beautiful art piece. This small garden contained light cubes that you are able to spin that are hanging on fixtures and on a tree. They showcase beautiful snowflake patterns illuminated on the floor.

Lightwave Lake

This lake is lit up with different colors and similar to other displays, you can power the lights on with some controls. Music will start playing as the lights power on. Next to the lake is a bar and gift shop. This is a dead end so you’ll need to turn around to find the other exhibits.

Symphony of Oaks

These giant oak trees have platforms at the bottom that you can walk across to create music. The platforms also change colors when you step on them. You can DJ your own set! It’ll be with soothing music though.

Fantasy Forest

In the Fantasy Forest there is a giant chandelier that is lit up. Around the corner is an illuminated gazebo. You can get creative with your photo here. Our friend did a handstand.

Luminous Lawn feat. Aqueous

There are multiple platforms that you can walk/run on and that will light up as you walk through them. There are also some illuminated benches around the perimeter of the platforms so you can rest while the rest of your party plays. You can also restock on any beverages with a convenient bar next to the walkway.

Ancient Forest

The forest is beautifully lit and the trees will make you feel like you are really in a forest. The blue and the green complement each other well. Walking through this forest reminded us of the scene from the Little Mermaid.

Pixel Grove

This light installation is featured in a garden. The light sticks will light up in tempo to the music. You may have to wait for a good picture or video because this is a timed show.

Garden of Good Fortune

This was the last display that we went through and the red lanterns made this Japanese Garden feel more authentic. There is a doorway at one end of the garden but the lighting made it difficult to take a good photo. However, our two friends that went with us got creative and used their flashlight on their phones (one each side). This was the final result – pretty good!

This was the second time that we visited Enchanted: Forest of Light and we had a great time both years. Every year they modify some of the exhibits to keep it refreshing and help with the flow of traffic. Each display was beautiful, appealing, and interactive. This year we went on the opening day and it really got me into the holiday spirit! Enchanted is a fun experience for everyone and we would recommend you purchase your tickets before they sell out.