Bunbury lights up for Chinese Lantern festival

Bunbury is set to embrace the light once again for the annual Chinese Lantern Festival starting this week.

The festival is a celebration of Chinese culture and includes decorations of lanterns, lights, peonies and dragons, Koi and lotus ponds, a wishing tree and a labyrinth filling the International Friendship Garden on Cobblestone Drive.

Live music performances of Chinese melodies will fill the air as local talents grace the stage with pop-up performances throughout the night.

The free event for the whole family features designated picnic areas for those wanting to bring their own hampers to enjoy the spectacle.

As well as the celebrations, there are two workshops happening throughout the week.

The community dragon workshop will run from 10am Wednesday January 10 at the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre, followed by the Koi lantern dance workshop the day after at 10am.

Both workshops can give people a hands-on approach to learning about Chinese culture and art.

Registrations for both workshops can be made online or via the Chinese Lantern Festival Facebook page.

The festival runs from Friday January 12 to Saturday January 13.