A unique event, the Stockton Lantern Festival is returning to the Stockton Ballpark this winter. Brace yourselves for an enchanting winter adventure like no other as Stockton Lantern Festival takes over Stockton Ballpark for 59 nights, Nov. 22 through Jan. 19. Following a gold medal winning first year, Stockton Lantern Festival returns with larger lanterns and a new theme for 2024-2025, Magic Ocean.
Koda is back again and takes us from the Magic Forest of last year to the Magic Ocean. This past June Koda visited the Georgia Aquarium with his schoolmates themed “World Ocean Day.” While walking through the tunnel, a variety of fish and corals illuminated in various colors right before his eyes. That night, Koda dreamed he was in a mysterious ocean filled with many colorful coral and fish swimming all around.
The next morning, upon waking, Koda was so excited that his trip to the aquarium came to life in his dream that he drew out all the ocean creatures, fish and coral he dreamed about the night prior.
Come see the sketches of Koda’s Journey to the Magic Ocean come to life before your very eyes as you immerse yourself into the Magic Ocean.
Attendees will encounter stunning art installations, meticulously handcrafted by lantern artisans using the ancient technique of traditional Chinese lantern making. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, this unique art form combines tens of thousands of LED lights, vibrant colors, and a fusion of metal and fabric to create an awe-inspiring spectacle of winter night lights.
As the sun sets, visitors will head below sea level and enter the ocean, as Magic Ocean comes alive. The Stockton Lantern Festival promises an immersive walk-through experience that will captivate travelers of all ages. Get ready to be dazzled by the magical interplay of light and shadow as you explore this mystical realm. The Stockton Lantern Festival will once again feature live stage performances, showcasing a vibrant mix of music, dance, and acrobatics.
“We are ecstatic to welcome back the return of the award-winning Stockton Lantern Festival, with a new theme,” said Jason Perry, general manager, ASM Global – Stockton. “Visitors will be mesmerized by the new larger than life lanterns for this year’s Magic Ocean theme. Each guest will be brought on an adventure, with new and interactive lanterns at each turn.”
Don’t miss your chance to visit this extraordinary event. The Stockton Lantern Festival awaits, ready to transport you to the world of the deep ocean sea. For more information, visit StocktonLanternFestival.com
Tickets for Magic Ocean are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and in-person at the Stockton Arena box office. Tickets to Magic Ocean start at $19 for children ages 2 to 12 and adult tickets start at $23.
Dates are Nov. 22, 2024 through Jan. 19, 2025; 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily; last ticket sold at 9 p.m.
Stockton Ballpark is at 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton.
The lantern displays are designed and handcrafted by the artisan team of Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., the biggest lantern festival producer in the U.S.
The festival will include more than 60 larger than life lanterns with the tallest being 50 feet and the longest nearly 100 feet.
Over 20,000 LED bulbs and more than 82,000 feet of light rope along with 11,500 feet of fabric were used to create the lanterns.
The lanterns were shipped to Stockton in 67 shipping containers, one of the largest installations in the US, and the first of its kind in a ballpark. A total of 200 people spent 50 days in China to build the lanterns; 20 people are spending 30 days on-site to assemble and set up the festival.
