Lightopia Festival 2020

At The Amazing Blog we love to share our #AmazingFinds and today we want to tell you about the breathtaking Lightopia Festival which has just opened. Perhaps you’ve already heard about it? Well, this year be prepared to be blown away by the new additions to this lighting phenomime which showcases at London’s Chiswick House Gardens, until 1st March.

Lightopia invites us to “step into a world like no other” and explore landscapes of light, lanterns in all shapes and sizes, and massive 3D projections. Prepare to be carried into a virtually magical universe where nature seems to prevail and magnify itself throughout the art of enlightenment.  You follow along the smartly illuminated path, where attention, senses and even emotions are mobilised by the different forms - some of them are interactive - the various designs or colours of the lanterns and the impressive 3D projections which really give life to the show. 

However, besides visual appeal, Lightopia also has a cultural and spiritual dimension. The Festival is inspired by an ancient Chinese celebration during which people light thousands of lanterns to ward off evil spirits and symbolise a bright future. Just as the traditional Chinese lanterns, Lightopia installations carry a meaning. 

The theme of the Festival this year is Harmony. The artworks symbolically refer to various life and human experiences. The Love Gate, Tree of Life and Happy Valley are among other art installations with evocative names. They make big dreamers feel like they’re on some kind of initiatory voyage where concepts and values such as positive energy, inclusivity or spirituality are poetically illustrated. Yet, you have to wait until nightfall to see the magic happen...

The Lightopia Festival is a unique experience to share with family, friends or alone. This is a chance to have a pleasant walk, create good, shining memories and take some beautiful pictures. 

But don’t take our word for it, go and see for yourself! You can book your ticket on Eventbrite here: prices (without the booking fees) go up to £13 for a child ticket; £20 for the adult fare. We recommend booking your ticket online in advance as the tickets booked or bought on-site are slightly more expensive. You can also find further information on the Lightopia Festival, here.

Eat and Drink Festival 2018

Self-professed foodie or not, The Eat and Drink Festival has a little something to satisfy every taste bud. We here at The Amazing Blog have to admit that we can never turn down an event that brings together mouth-watering cuisines from around the world all into one place, so when we found out that the festival was returning for its second year at Olympia London; we had to let everyone know.

Now we all love going to the outdoor market to get lunch or a snack on a regular basis, but what makes The Eat and Drink Festival a unique experience that’s worth your while has to be The Foodie Stage; a live cooking demonstration from renowned chefs and food experts. Get ready to up your own skill set as they let you in on their own culinary secrets and their top tips to impress at your next dinner party.

Their Late Night Thursdays boast the country’s top street food vendors and music from up and coming local musicians until 9pm, so you can dance a bit before indulging on more delicious treats. The irresistible aromas from each vendor will make it hard to resist going back for seconds or thirds. Of course every good meal needs a drink to compliment it, so head on over next to The Drinks Station to find your signature cocktail, while you pick up some tips on how to pair a meal with the perfect drink. You can also take home some fresh produce and handmade products at their Artisan Producers’ Market to try your hand at crafting a food masterpiece of your own. 

 The Eat and Drink Festival comes back to London from the 17th of March to the 2nd of April, so don’t miss out! They’re open daily from 10am to 6pm (except on Late Night Thursdays). Tickets are available here starting as little as £14 for adults on weekdays, with free admittance for children 15 and under. 

Butterflies in the Glasshouse

Say goodbye to grey skies and step into a world full of colour— or more than 50 species of free-flying butterflies. Spring is just around the corner, but if you’re anything like us here at The Amazing Blog, you’re always keeping an eye out for anything that makes you feel like you’re on holiday right now, preferably somewhere tropical. Butterflies in the Glasshouse is the perfect place to find refuge from the cold. They’re open from the 13th of January until the 4th of March in Wisley, so you can head on down to get an early taste of spring.

Fun fact: some butterfly species have adult lifespans that are as short as one week, while others, like the Monarch, live an average of nine months. We like this event because it is both family-friendly and educational. But, the beauty of the butterflies and cathedral-like glasshouse are sure to amaze people of all ages, while also providing the perfect photo-op. The Education Zone will turn you into a butterfly expert, as you learn about their lifecycles and even use a microscope to take a closer look at the intricate colour of their wings. Did you know that butterflies have taste receptors on their feet? Once you’ve finished admiring the real butterflies, you can pick up a delicious treat from the Taste of Wisley outlets and take a walk down to the lovely garden of butterfly sculptures.

Entry prices are £15.95 for adults and £8 for children 5-16 years, but if you buy online here you can get 10% off and you can also book a time slot to skip the queues here.