The first ever Magical Lantern Festival to take place outside the Far East in celebration of the Chinese New Year will be held in west London.

The lawns at Chiswick House Gardens will be transformed into a dazzling extravaganza of lights, music, culture and art to mark the world famous Chinese Lantern Festival, from February 3 until March 6.

A 66-metre long dragon stretching out across a lake will be one of the main showpieces during the five week festival, alongside a 10-metre tall replica of Beijing’s Temple of Heaven; an eight-metre porcelain Imperial Palace; and 50 hand-sculpted giant interactive flashing lanterns as part of a garden trail through the Corridors of Light.

This festival is the brainchild of Weli Creative Director, David Lee and Creative Director, Ian Xiang, who said: “London was chosen as the first city to host this amazing, 29-day festival of light, due to its status as the multicultural centre of the Western World.

“And we selected an iconic venue for this iconic event, providing a unique, cultural experience and marking the fifteenth day of the Lunisolar year’s first month and the last day of the Lunar New Year celebration.”

2016 celebrates the Year of the Monkey and to mark the occasion an illuminated waterfall will provide the fairytale setting for a lantern recreation of the popular Chinese fable, The Monkey King, at the grounds of Chiswick House, Burlington Lane, Chiswick.

Elsewhere during the outdoor event which will take visitors on a 75-minute cultural adventure, families can discover the glowing Animal Kingdom brimming with life-sized flamingos, zebras and elephants nestled among the trees.

And in the Enchanted Forest people will find the Ethereal Tree of Life lantern, illuminating the over-sized plants, mushrooms and flowers with a giant lotus flower opening and closing in the waters.

There will also be a chance to indulge in a range of international cuisine and hot tipples in the food market and a gift shop to remember the experience.

The East meets West event will also be celebrated with life-sized London bus and phone box lanterns.

Doors open on Wednesday (February 3) until Sunday (March 6) from 5pm to 10.30pm- however will be closed on all Mondays apart from the Chinese New Year on February 8) and will be closed instead on Tuesday (February 9)

Advanced tickets online cost: adult £16, child (aged 4 to 16) £10, family £48, concessions £14

On the door prices: adult £18, child £12, family £56, concessions £16

Groups of 10 or more: £14 in advance and £16 on the door

For more information or to book tickets visit Magical Lantern Festival.