Do you believe in magic? We strongly do, and we came out astounded from our visit to the new Magical Garden Belem Night Show at Jardim Botanico Tropical de Belem.
O Cubo has created a truly magical show made of animals, flowers, ancient sculptures, and cool videomapping, helped by the greatness of this Botanical garden itself
On Saturday evening, despite the clouds threatening rain, we reached Belem and enjoy our visit to the Magical exhibition: we booked our tickets here and went to the premises to wait for our entry time. We found quite a long line that moved fast once the hour booking time came.
The entrance itself is a stunning rainbow light portal with two Egyptian statues as tall as the palm trees behind them: starting there, all the rest is pure magic.
The installation has three explorers (two kids and one dog) that seem to chase the light worlds that are hiding in the garden: jungle animals, peacocks sitting on beautiful flowers, and the Chinese garden are the first themes you encounter
The exhibition goes on embedding the buildings of the garden onto stunning video mapping shows, including a funny animation of some tigers on an Azulejos porch.
The middle section of the light exhibition is about Asia, and you will see big elephants plus you will be able to experience the Holi festival, without the mess that usually comes with it: there is a little kiosk next to it to buy some snacks or some water for the probably tired little ones.
The last section is the best if you have some kids passionate about dinos: many spinosaurus and ankylosaurus are hiding between the bushes, and some of them are semi-mobile, hence your kids will go crazy about them. At the very end, there is a photo op dinosaur set up so you can take a picture with your whole family ( eventually taking your mask off if nobody is around.
All the exhibition is magical, and the fact that it is in the garden makes it even more mysterious and intriguing: it’s highly enjoyable for both kids and grown-up.
Some tips for a stress-free visit
- Be sure to buy your tickets in advance to be sure to get in at the preferred time: there is a new entry slot every 30 minuted. You find the tickets on different platforms but the official one is Tiqets.
- I suggest going last minute on your booked start time slot since the line is quite long but it moves fast once the time comes
- The stroll around the park is a little crowded but not packed, and everybody ten YO and above is wearing masks.
- The Chinese garden it’s the only part that you cannot enter with the stroller, but it’s short, and the strollers can proceed on a separate route: in general, I suggest bringing small kids in carriers or slings.
The Magical Garden is happening again in 2021
Be sure to secure your tickets in advance at this link before you head there: this first weekend it only cost 10 € each adult. Family tickets options are available too!
