Enjoy the beauty of the Osthmanthus Gardens Lantern Festival

Hastings councillor Kevin Watkins installing lanterns at Osmanthus Gardens

Preparations are in full swing for the Osmanthus Gardens Lantern Festival that will bring a magic glow to Cornwall Park from April 8 to 14.

Hosted at the park since 2009, it’s a warm welcome back to the annual event that had to be cancelled the past two years – first due to Covid and then Cyclone Gabrielle.

The Osmanthus Gardens are special not only for Hastings, but also nationally given their link to the sister city relationship between Hastings and the Chinese city Guilin – signed in 1981, and the first such relationship between a New Zealand city and a city in China.

Hastings district councillor Kevin Watkins is the driving force behind the lantern festival and was today part of the crew hanging and installing lanterns, building a stage for the performance, and laying hundreds of metres of cables for the lights.

“All year these gardens are a wonderful place for people to come and be quiet and relax, and the lantern festival adds another dimension - extra ambience, beauty and a place where people can celebrate the Chinese culture associated with the area.”

He said he was thrilled that the festival could go ahead again this year, with even more lanterns being installed over a bigger space than previous years, and some exciting performers taking the stage between 6.30pm to 9pm, from Wednesday April 10 to Saturday April 13.

These performers comprise Chinese classical singer Junfen Wang, Tai Chi master Zhang Changnian (who has been brought to New Zealand by the China Culture Centre and will be performing around the country), and dancers from the Colourful Clouds Chasing The Moon dance studio.

“I’m thrilled to have these performers here – the talent and standard is amazing and we are very fortunate to have them join us.”

Over the week of the event thousands of people will pass through the gardens, but it reaches even more, Mr Watkins said.

“There will be millions of people in China who will see the videos and photos – this event puts Hastings on the map in terms of the New Zealand-China relationship.”

For seven enchanting evenings, from 6:30pm to 9pm, witness the transformation of Osmanthus Gardens into a magical wonderland.

Explore illuminated pathways, marvel at sparkling grass, and be captivated by the ethereal beauty of traditional Chinese silk lanterns and large lotus lanterns gracefully floating on the garden's lake.

Tōmoana Road will be closed between York Road and Fitzroy Avenue each evening from 5:30pm and 10pm.

Food trucks will be on Tōmoana Rd. Koha entry.

5 April 2024

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