You Don’t Want To Miss This Gorgeous Lantern Festival In Florida This Year

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach is devoted to sharing the living culture of Japan. As soon as you step onto the grounds of this former Japanese farming colony, you will feel transported to a foreign land, and filled with a sense of peace.

On an average day, visitors stroll through the garden, view an impressive bonsai collection and koi pond.

They can also take part in traditional tea ceremonies, eat delicious sushi, and shop for unique gifts.

But October 21st is no average day. The Lantern Festival is part of a very important Japanese festival called Obon, in which ancestors' spirits are invited into descendants' homes.

This unique celebration is unlike anything else in Florida, and maybe even the whole country.

The purpose of the lantern floating, or toro nagashi, is to help guide ancestors back to the otherworld.

The lanterns are inscribed with special messages for ancestors and departed loved ones.

The lantern floating ceremony is so beautiful, all 7,000 tickets for the festival sold out in the first 12 hours last year.

The number of attendees has been limited to keep the festival intimate and meaningful.

This ceremony has taken place for centuries in Japan, and nearly 40 years here at Morikami.

The Lantern Festival takes place October 21st, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale in August, so watch Morikami's website for updates. Lanterns are available for purchase at the beginning of the event for $12. Tickets and lanterns sell out early, so you have to be quick if you want to be a part of this incredible event.

Have you ever attended Morikami's Lantern Festival? What's your favorite Florida Festival?