Shana Nys Dambrot
“Enchanted: Forest of Light” is an interactive, nighttime installation of light and sound sculptures installed along a one-mile path through the grounds of Descanso Gardens. While popular with young families, the special appeal of this annual classic goes beyond kid stuff. Anyone interested in sheer low-key delight and childlike wonderment — and let’s face it, grownups can use a bit of that themselves these days — will find a lot to love in this garden of kaleidoscopic wizardry and natural beauty.
A massive lawn of electronic tulips, like the world’s biggest Lite-Brite, changes color and sings with the twinkling, soothing, magic sound of silver bells. A laser show dances across a misty lake. A walkway of celestial stars leads to a garden walk alive with the shadows cast from whirling lanterns. A path of deep red lanterns welcomes visitors to a surreal, otherworldly plane.
A grove of old oaks offers interactive lights like portals to another dimension. A vast lawn is covered with lit-up paths, whose colors change as you walk across them, like a Candyland version of the “Billie Jean” video. A vast grove of quivering trees brings the sky to earth with a forest of tiny lights that sparkle on every leaf and twig, creating a canopy of fairy dust.
Along the way, plenty of hot chocolate (while not quite wintry, it does get chilly at night) and more adult beverages are on offer, and if you book ahead, there’s a version of the ticketing that includes dinner at the on-site restaurant. This event always sells out, so grab your tickets now.
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada; (818) 949-4200, enchantedla.com. Daily, rain or shine, 5:30-10 p.m., through Jan. 6 (closed Nov. 22, Dec. 24 & Dec. 25); timed entry tickets $30.
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