MILWAUKEE — The China Lights lantern festival will return to Milwaukee County’s Boerner Botanical Gardens for its eighth season this September, featuring a new “Magical Forest” theme and more than 40 larger-than-life lantern installations. The event, a collaboration between Milwaukee County Parks and Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc., is scheduled to run from September 12 through November 2, 2025.
Organizers stated that approximately 95 percent of the displays for the 2025 exhibition are new. Huiyuan Liu, the event manager for China Lights Wisconsin, identified the “Butterfly Fairy” as a centerpiece attraction, describing it as a 20-foot-high dome comprised of roughly 1,000 butterflies that visitors can walk through. Other installations include interactive Halloween-themed talking pumpkins and a display shaped like the number eight to commemorate the festival’s eighth anniversary and the Year of the Snake.
The festival will operate Tuesdays through Sundays from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., remaining closed on Mondays with one exception. For the first time, officials have scheduled an “Adult-Only Night” for visitors aged 21 and older on Monday, October 13, featuring a DJ and specific programming intended to offer a quieter environment.
Included with admission are nightly stage performances on the We Energies Stage, showcasing traditional Asian folk arts such as face-changing, hat juggling, and balancing acts. The three-quarter-mile route through Whitnall Park will also feature two food courts and beer gardens offering Asian and Western cuisine. A playground area equipped with interactive light and laser features is available for children.
Tickets are sold for timed entry slots to manage crowd flow. General admission prices vary by date and purchase method, with advance online tickets costing $23 for weekdays and $28 for weekends, while limited walk-up tickets are priced higher. Parking options include paid lots near the entrance and free parking throughout Whitnall Park, with complimentary shuttle service provided from outer lots and the Hales Corners Park & Ride on weekends.
Useful Information
- Date: Sept. 12 – Nov. 2, 2025 (Closed Mondays, except Oct. 13)
- Time: 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Venue: Boerner Botanical Gardens, Whitnall Park
- Ticket Page: Official Website
