LA’s beloved holiday season event is back! The nighttime wonderland of incredible light installations set to a calming zen-inspired soundtrack returns to – wait for it – enchant its guests through the holidays.
Whether you’re traipsing through the light waves of Flower Power, wishing you could spend a night inside artist Tom Fruin’s stained glass houses, or walking around the towering lit-up Oak trees, this is an event like no other.
I was thrilled that two of my favorite exhibits were on display. The first is a lit-up moon that glows peacefully next to a waterfall and beautifully reflects on the water below it. (My personal photo below.) It is not only gorgeous but also a relaxing moment of quietude and reflection that is stunning from near or far.
See Also: Descanso Garden’s “Carved” is a Delightful Mix of Spooky Vibes and Light
My other favorite display is within the Ancient Forest. There, red, blue, green, and yellow lights beam up from below, illuminating the giant trees in a way that makes you feel like you’ve been transported back in time. With bird and insect sound effects throughout, it almost feels like a T-Rex might pop out to disrupt the solitude.
But around the corner is a darker path through the trees where green flecks of light dance around the bushes and leaves, welcoming you into a fairy-tale-like place of lightning bugs and fairies. If I could choose to spend one area alone for an entire night, that would be it.
There are ten different areas to walk through, including a sweet treat and drink area in the middle. Featuring all sorts of cookies, cakes, churros, and drippy, messy, super-delicious S’mores, there’s something for everyone. And for those who might feel a bit parched, hot chocolate, coffee, and various wines and spirits are also available for purchase.
This is a great event for festive guests of all ages, but be aware that the atmosphere is tranquil, and rambunctious children might disturb it.
It can also get super cold at night, so dress warmly and wear shoes you don’t mind getting a little dusty.
But don’t let either of those FYIs prevent you from attending. Descanso Gardens truly created something special here, which is why it keeps coming back. There are other events that try to capitalize on Enchanted, but this is the absolute original and is a must-see.
Enchanted Forest of Light runs through January 5th at the Descanso Gardens in La Canada, CA.
For more information and tickets, visit DescansoGardens.org.
