Observed by Multi-ethnicity Date November to January | Type Cultural 2017 date November 22 | |
Official name Global Winter Wonderland Also called GWW
Global Lantern Festival | ||
Global Winter Wonderland is a multicultural lantern festival produced by the International Culture Exchange Group. The festival made its US debut in Santa Clara, California on November 25, 2011, and drew nearly 500,000 people by the end of its run in early January 2012. Five more Global Winter Wonderland festivals followed. In 2012 Global Winter Wonderland was held again in Santa Clara, CA. In 2013 it moved to Atlanta, Georgia and in 2014 and 2015 it was held in Sacramento, California. In 2015, ICEG also produced Global Winter Wonderland in Tulare, CA – making it the first year to produce two events at exactly the same time.
Contents
- History of Lanterns
- 2011 Santa Clara CA Great America Parking Lot Travel the World in Just One Day
- 2012 Santa Clara CA Inside Great America Theme Park Holiday Fun for Everyone
- 2013 Atlanta GA Turner Field Travel the World in Just One Day
- 2014 Sacramento CA Cal Expo Travel the World in One Night
- 2015 Sacramento CA Cal Expo and Tulare CA Tulare County Fair
- Activities
- References
The Global Winter Wonderland Festival is based on the Chinese Lantern Festival. It has distinction of being the largest lantern festival of its kind outside of China. This event enables patrons to “Travel the World in One Night” by viewing large replicas of the world’s most famous landmarks such as India’s Taj Mahal, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Mexico’s Chichen Itza, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and more! Global Winter Wonderland’s magnificent towering lanterns, some of which soar to over 50 feet high and 100 feet long, are built by Chinese engineers with modern technology. These lanterns even reflect the trendy green thinking of today, with their eco-friendly features of low voltage LEDS, fluorescent lights, and solar paneling. These elaborate lantern displays are built by the engineers of several structures showcased in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. They are then shipped to the venue of the event and competed over 6 weeks prior the events start date.
History of Lanterns
The modern lanterns gracing the night skies of Global Winter Wonderland have a history that tracks back over two thousand years to ancient China. Paper lanterns originated from as far back as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD) and were used as lamps, especially in entry ways of homes. The lantern shade was practical in that it protected the flame from being extinguished in windy weather. Lanterns were most often made from paper and silk but could be made from various kinds of materials such as bamboo, wood, wheat-straw and metal. The traditional Chinese lantern is one that is red in color.
Chinese monks used lanterns on the twelfth day of the first lunar moon to worship Buddha. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Emperor, Liu Zhuang, was a Buddhist and ordered his citizenry to light lanterns to worship Buddha as the monks did. Eventually, this lantern lighting became a grand festival among the common people. During the Tang Dynasty (618 AD – 907 AD), lanterns symbolized and celebrated the prosperity, strength and power of China. From then on, lighting lanterns became popular throughout the entire country.
Over the years, lanterns became an object of artistic expression, ornamentation and a major status symbol. Common to ancient Chinese society was its fondness for grand celebration, including the Lantern Festival, aka Little New Year, named because it is the culmination of the Chinese New Year festival. The lantern festival was where artisans competed among themselves to produce the most beautifully designed, elaborated and exquisite lantern. The emperor of China himself would hire the best lantern designers to work for him, a position which was considered to be a high honor.
Today, lanterns have evolved to become less practical but more as a means of artistic expression. More types of lanterns appear in festivals now than the traditional red Chinese ones. Modern technology is being used to make the lanterns, such as the ones at Global Winter Wonderland. Lanterns can be made with music playing from them, with control panels to make them light up in various ways and times, and so forth. The shapes of modern lanterns have changed over time too. The lanterns can be created into cartoon characters, Chinese zodiac animals and architectural landmarks, such as the ones featured at Global Winter Wonderland.
2011 - Santa Clara, CA - Great America Parking Lot - "Travel the World in Just One Day!"
Traditional Chinese lanterns are showcased in the United States for the first time at International Culture Exchange Group’s debut of Global Winter Wonderland! The event is centered around the traditional lanterns and also features multi-cultural entertainment, rides and games, international food and holiday shopping for the whole family!
2011 Highlights:
2012 - Santa Clara, CA - Inside Great America Theme Park - "Holiday Fun for Everyone!"
Global Winter Wonderland returns to Santa Clara and has moved inside the Great America Theme Park! Guests were able to enjoy the thrilling rides at Great America, plus a new theme, new lanterns and added entertainment!
2012 Highlights:
2013 - Atlanta, GA – Turner Field - "Travel the World in Just One Day!"
Global Winter Wonderland travels across the country! With a new venue, Global Winter Wonderland brought the iconic landmark lanterns to the residents of Atlanta, GA. 2013 also featured new lanterns and tons of entertainment.
2013 Highlights:
2014 - Sacramento, CA – Cal Expo - "Travel the World in One Night!"
Global Winter Wonderland returns to California and is hosted at Cal Expo in one of the most diverse cities in the United States – Sacramento. Spanning over 17 acres, Global Winter Wonderland invited guests to "Travel the World in One Night" and enjoy over 30 thrilling rides, entertainment from local communities and the event's very own circus!
2014 Highlights:
2015 - Sacramento, CA - Cal Expo and Tulare, CA - Tulare County Fair
For the first time, ICEG produces Global Winter Wonderland in two locations! The event returned to Cal Expo in Sacramento, CA and was hosted by the Tulare County Fairgrounds in Tulare, CA. The Tulare event showcased landmarks from around the world and featured a revamped Circus of Light. The Sacramento event featured a whole new theme, ALL new lanterns as well as new entertainment and activities!
2015 Highlights:
Sacramento, CA - "Magic of the Seasons"
Tulare, CA - "Travel the World in One Night"
Activities
Global Winter Wonderland features large lantern replicas of a selection of the world’s most famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, China’s Temple of Heaven, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and many more!
The festival also features The Circus of Light with various circus acts from around the world. This performance incorporates multiple cultures showcasing their talents and entertainment. World famous flying acrobats, jugglers, fire dancers and contortionists are just a few of the acts featured in Global Winter Wonderlands Circus of Light.
Throughout the run of each Global Winter Wonderland a number of Theme Days are incorporated while the event is open. Past theme days have highlighted some of the many cultures from the city in which the event is being held that year. Hispanic Day, Asian Pacific Islander Day, Slavic Day and Anime Costume Day are just a few examples of the past Theme Days held at Global Winter Wonderland.
A Global Food Pavilion brings foods from around the world to one place. Global Winter Wonderland offers guests the chance to indulge in delicious and exotic dishes inspired from around the world without having to leave the country. For guests 21 and older, there is also a full bar with unique imported beers and wines from around the globe!
Rides and games are featured at Global Winter Wonderland for guests to enjoy. There is something for everyone with over 30 rides including favorites like the tea cups and a carousel. Guests can even experience all of the lights from above on the Ferris Wheel!