Picture 1/13 A festival of lights brings a bit of Far Eastern dazzle to the long, cold nights of the nation’s capital. Kalbar/TFN Picture 2/13 This is the first time the festival has been held in Warsaw after successful shows across Europe. Kalbar/TFN Picture 3/13 Visitors will have the opportunity to wonder at an array of flowers, animals, mystical creatures and even Santa Claus until February 16. Kalbar/TFN Picture 4/13 The organizers told TFN they expected thousands of visitors to attend the festival over its 10-week run. Kalbar/TFN Picture 5/13 Fans of the Terracotta Army could see warriors dressed in similar attire to those from the Qin Dynasty. Kalbar/TFN Picture 6/13 The festival has previously been held in England, the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, Belarus and New York. During each festival the number of visitors was between 150,000 and 200,000. Kalbar/TFN Picture 7/13 The festival is held at the scenic Fort Bema in Warsaw, which was built in the late 1800s as part of an inner ring of forts in Warsaw. Kalbar/TFN Picture 8/13 Visitors will even have the opportunity to warm themselves up with traditional Chinese dim sum at the food and drink area half way round the attraction. Kalbar/TFN Picture 9/13 The festival also incorporated a show of traditional Chinese martial arts including weapons such as the Bo staff, Qiang and Dao swords. Kalbar/TFN Picture 10/13 Visitors might be surprised to see penguins and flamingos as well as pandas among the animals on display. Kalbar/TFN Picture 11/13 The colourful dancers illuminated the crowd with their rendition of traditional Chinese dances. Kalbar/TFN Picture 12/13 The decorations embrace the park and work together to give the visitors a unique experience. Kalbar/TFN Picture 13/13 Traditional yóuzhǐsǎn were turned upside down and formed a roof overhead, appearing to visitors to float in the dark night sky. Kalbar/TFN

From dragons and pandas to martial arts and ancient warriors, a Chinese lights festival will bring illumination and Far-Eastern culture to Warsaw’s Fort Bema. The festival in previous years has been seen by hundreds in thousands in locations ranging from the US to Belarus, and should also be a hit during its 10-week stint in Poland.