- September 5, 2025 - Jardin botanique : Behind the scenes at the Garden, Favourites
Every year, The Magic of Lanterns festival comes to life with a new theme at the Montréal Botanical Garden. Organizing an event of this magnitude requires a great deal of coordination. Read on to find out how it’s done.
Fall and winter
In Montréal, the members of our team put their heads together and come up with a new theme! Then the painstaking design work begins. Precise drawings are made for each lantern and the order, including dimensions, colours and technical assembly specifications, is sent to China.
Spring
Artisans on the other side of the world in the Shanghai region make each lantern by hand, following the technical drawings sent from Montréal.
May and June
The lanterns are shipped to Montréal by sea, rail and, finally, truck.
July and August
The lanterns arrive in Montréal. So much excitement! It takes two months for electricians, carpenters, painters, plumbers and welders to build the supports, install the electrical wiring and hang the lanterns in the Chinese Garden.
September and October
Several hundred lanterns light up the Chinese Garden and the eyes of thousands of visitors!
Come admire the fruits of all this labor from August 29 to November 2!
Much more than just a lantern show in the Chinese Garden, Gardens of Light invites you to discover the illuminations of the Japanese Garden and the First Nations Garden, on a magical 2 km trail.
Learn more about the new edition of Gardens of Light.
