Lantern Festival

The much-anticipated “Lantern Festival:  Art by Day, Magic by Night” exhibit is coming to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2012!  This 12-week international exhibit runs May 26 through  August 19, 2012 and features 26 larger-than-life, lighted works of art from China.  The custom-designed exhibit, the first ever at a botanical garden in the United States, offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness one of China’s most treasured events and ancient traditions – a spectacle rarely staged outside of Asia.  “Lantern Festival: Art by Day, Magic by Night” features elaborate, illuminated scenes crafted of silk and steel, celebrating Chinese culture through bold color, dazzling light and striking design.

 

Relish the full exhibition experience by witnessing the illuminated magic at night – The Lantern Festival is open to the public Thursday through Sunday evenings from 6-10 p.m. (last entry at 9 p.m.).   Enjoy street artisans and stage performances  by an acrobatic troupe, before the large, intricate lantern scenes come alive and aglow at sunset.

 

Companies and party groups can choose to view the illuminated works of art in conjunction with the public  (Thursdays through Sundays) or on a private evening (Mondays and Tuesdays).  Give your employees or party guests an experience unlike any other by booking a special event at the Missouri Botanical Garden during “Lantern Festival:  Art by Day, Magic by Night.”

Catering St. Louis, a proud partner of the Missouri Botanical Garden, is pleased to be able to offer your company a chance to view these remarkable pieces of art during your special event held at the Garden.  Private events may be held at one of five locations depending on the number of guests at the Garden during the Lantern Festival.

 

LOCATIONS FOR EVENTS

 

• MONSANTO HALL AND SPOEHRER PLAZA

Available only on Monday & Tuesday

$2,000/rental fee

$7,500/food and beverage minimum

Maximum number of guests at Monsanto Hall – 300/buffet cocktail, 250 seated

 

• ORTHWEIN FLORAL DISPLAY HALL

$2,000 rental fee – Monday & Tuesday

$7,500 food and beverage minimum/Monday & Tuesday

$1,200/rental fee – Thursday through Sunday/no minimums

Maximum number of guests at Orthwein – 500/buffet cocktail/300 seated

 

• SPINK PAVILION

$2,000/rental fee – Monday & Tuesday

$5,000/food and beverage minimum/Monday & Tuesday

$1,200/rental fee – Thursday through Sunday/no minimums

Maximum number of guests at Spink Pavilion – 175/buffet cocktail, 90 seated

 

• SPINK GALLERY

Only available for small parties when Monsanto Hall is not in use.

No minimum

$400/rental fee

Ideal for gathering location – cocktail party prior to the exhibition.

2 staff members - $150/service surcharge – bartender and event captain

Maximum number of guests at Spink Gallery – 40 guests

 

• KEMPER CENTER FOR HOME GARDENING

No minimum

$750/rental fee - Monday & Tuesday

$500/rental fee - Thursday through Sunday

Maximum number of guests at Kemper – 100/buffet cocktail, 40 seated

Kemper is ideal for smaller numbers of guests with no minimums.

 

LANTERN FESTIVAL PRICING WHILE ATTENDING EVENTS:

• $15/guest for Monday and Tuesday (when the Garden is closed to the general public)  plus room rental, plus food and beverage, and minimums that apply for stated locations.

• $10/guest for Thursday through Sunday (when the Garden and exhibit are open to the general public) plus room rental, plus food and beverage, and minimums that apply for stated locations.

*Please note that the ticket price per guest listed above are reduced ticket prices; Corporations that book a special event during the Lantern Festival pay a reduced ticket price of $15/guest/Monday & Tuesday and $10/guest/Thursday-Sunday.

 

Events held during the Lantern Festival will be treated to packages that include Asian-inspired meals; either a buffet cocktail dinner or seated dinner, a signature cocktail, Asian-theme tablecloths and décor and their admission to the Festival.  All events will be four hours in duration.

Events held on Monday and Tuesday are considered private events held while the Garden is closed to the general public.  It does not guarantee complete privacy at the Garden however.  Due to the anticipated popularity of the Festival, other private events may take place at the same time, but will not interfere with other guests.  This is the same policy presently at the Garden for all private events taking place while the Garden is closed to the general public.

Be sure to book your special event now!  To inquire about hosting a private event during the Lantern Festival, please contact our sales department at Catering St. Louis at 314.961.7588 (extension 221).

For additional information on the “Lantern Festival:  Art by Day, Magic by Night” exhibit, please visit the Missouri Botanical Garden’s website:  Missouri Botanical Garden Lantern Festival Webpage