Tianyu Festival Brings Cultural Magic to Phoenix
Writer Joseph J. Airdo
As twilight descends over Camelback Ranch this winter, an extraordinary transformation occurs. Ancient Chinese artistry meets cutting-edge technology as thousands of LED lights illuminate the darkness, creating a mesmerizing wonderland that stretches across the landscape. For Valley residents seeking a unique holiday experience, the inaugural Tianyu Lights Festival offers an enchanting fusion of cultural tradition and modern spectacle.
“While the core techniques of lantern-making haven’t changed much over the past 2,000 years, we are able to meld ancient techniques with advanced technologies,” explains Huiyuan Liu, event manager of Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc. “This allows for changing colors, animations, and the ability to physically interact with our diverse displays.”
The festival brings more than 40 sets of larger-than-life lantern sculptures to Phoenix, each handcrafted by artisans from Zigong City, China’s legendary hometown of lanterns. These master craftsmen have traveled across the world to construct their illuminated masterpieces using metal, fabric and LED lights — a modern interpretation of a tradition that spans two millennia.
“Lantern festivals have a history of over 2,000 years in China and are still popular in China and many other Asian countries,” Liu explains. “Traditionally, lanterns were made of bamboo frames and oil paper with candles inside. As time progressed, the technique and materials also changed, but the cultural significance remains.”
The festival unfolds across four themed sections, beginning with an illuminated forest where a three-story, color-changing butterfly tree serves as a magnificent centerpiece.
“We’ve incorporated conservation and sustainable messages throughout our festivals,” Liu notes. “This is especially reflected in the illuminated forest, allowing visitors to see artistic replicas of both exotic and endangered species.”
In a nod to local flora, the festival features specially designed cactus displays.
“We made it a point to our designer that we have to have cacti in Phoenix, and they need to be bigger and brighter than other cactus displays we’ve had before,” Liu shares. “We think that’ll play very well with the landscape of Camelback Ranch.”
As visitors journey deeper into the festival, they encounter a whimsical wonderland populated by illuminated unicorns, fairies and fire-breathing dragons. The path leads to “Panda-land,” where animated sculptures create perfect photo opportunities.
“Pandas have been seen as a bridge in cultural exchange,” Liu notes, “and we hope to do the same with our panda displays.”
The journey culminates in an ocean-themed odyssey featuring a spectacular 100-foot shark tunnel. This particular installation, along with the butterfly tree, first debuted at the Natural History Museum of France in 2018 and has since captivated audiences in Boston; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; and Cleveland before making its way to Phoenix.
Beyond the visual spectacle, the festival offers a rich cultural experience through its marketplace. Visitors can explore traditional crafts like aluminum braiding, where artisans create intricate shapes from oxidized metal wire, and inner-bottle painting, a unique Chinese art form featuring detailed designs painted inside clear vessels. Authentic Chinese lanterns, handcrafted from materials such as bamboo, silk, beads, jade, feathers and shells, showcase techniques that have evolved through various Chinese dynasties.
“What would a festival be without a food court area?” Liu adds. “Both local and traveling food vendors ensure the event is not only an adventure for the eyes but for the tastebuds as well.”
The artisans’ dedication to their craft is evident in every detail — even in the face of Phoenix’s notorious heat.
“To avoid heat stroke during setup, we have to start our day at 5 a.m.,” Liu reveals with a laugh. “When it gets too hot in the afternoon, around 3 p.m., we have to stop — only in Phoenix!”
While this marks Tianyu’s first venture into the Valley, the company hopes to establish the festival as an annual tradition.
“Our goal is to bring the event back year after year, making it a local tradition,” Liu says. “We would love to work with local partners to achieve this.”
Given the company’s track record of successful festivals across 39 cities in the United States and Europe, the Tianyu Lights Festival promises to be a dazzling addition to Phoenix’s cultural landscape and holiday celebrations.
Tianyu Lights Festival
Through Jan. 5 // Wednesday–Sunday, 5:30–10:30 p.m. // Camelback Ranch // 10710 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix // $25 adults, $18 children (ages 3–11) // tianyuculture.us/phoenix
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