This year my family and I were invited to come and experience Astra Lumina Seattle; a dazzling displace of lights that ventures you across the universe and back.
While I have heard of this event before, I never actually got the chance to go until now.
On Instagram there were a lot of questions about what this installation is and if it was worth the visit.
Today, I’m quickly sharing my experience with you and giving you a first hand look at this installation taking over Seattle for the holiday season.
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Table Of Content
What is Astra Lumina?
Astra Lumina is a beautiful immersive experience that blends the wonders of nature with the celestial magic of the universe through an installation of lights.
Over the course of a mile, you will walk an enchanting trail that will take you through 9 exhibits: each ranging from 3-5 minutes in length. The whole experience will take about 1 hour to complete.
For the best viewing experience, the exhibit opens up after dark, with tickets times starting around 5pm.
How to save on tickets
Let’s talk about tickets first, because in this economy every penny matters to families.
You can purchase your tickets at the gates. However Fever has told me that tickets are cheaper if you buy them ahead of time.
Tickets range from $27- $39 per person, depending on the type you purchase.
Purchase your tickets here today, and use code ASTRALUMINAST10 for 10% off the price.
If you’re going as a family of 3 or more, I would opt for the family bundle which will give you the best price. Just remember that this price caps out at 2 adults.
Parking is not included with the ticket price, but a pass can be purcahsed separately (more on that below)
Locations
Astra Lumina Seattle is located at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the South Seattle College campus (an Alma Marta of mine!)
While they have wrapped up their NYC experience (for now), they are hosting experiences in Dallas, LA, Philly, Gatlinburg, Gold Coast and Istanbul as well.
So check out to see if they are coming to a city near you!
How to get there
Car
The easiest way to get to the installation will be by car. From downtown Seattle, you can expect a 10-15 minute drive across the West Seattle Bridge. Just follow signs to South Seattle College.
I would check times before you head out as Seattle traffic can get downright ugly if you’re driving during peak times.
Parking
If you are driving, you will need to consider parking.
The closet parking lot will be the North Parking lot which is right by the Chinese Gardens. I have linked a map to parking here.
You will need a pass to park here. You can either purchase this pass during check out or at the gate.
Parking is first come first served and cash is NOT accepted, so plan accordingly.
There is street parking avalible as well, but in my experience as an alumni of South Seattle College, this parking goes very quick, so I would not bank on this.
Bus
If you don’t want to deal with parking or driving, the Seattle Metro Buses will take you right there.
From downtown, the 125 route will take you right on campus. If you’re coming from the south or West Seattle, the 128 is the route you’ll want to take.
Both buses will drop you off at the visitors parking lot where it’s about a minute walk to the gardens.
Is this family friendly?
This is an event for all ages!
I brought my kids and they absolutely loved it (they are still talking about it days later).
Their favorites were the celestial trail and the stardust rays. My son felt like the celestial trail was like walking amongst the galaxy, and my daughter loved dancing in the stardust array and trying to catch the laser.
For Stephen and I, our favorite part was actucally on the interactive map.
At the end, you are able to name a star and release it back into the universe. We named ours after our dearly departed son Franklin, who we always feel with us in spirit and just know that he was dancing in the light with us.
Things to expect
The first thing you should expect is that you will need to sign a waiver as you enter. This experience does have a lot of lighting changes and strobes. So be sure to read it to understand what the environment will be like.
There is also a bit of security before you can enter the garden. If you have a bag, they will search it, but it’s the basic event type search.
It will be a little cold so dress appropriately.
If you are trying to dress cute for photos ( this is still a fashion blog after all) or just keep your legs toasty, I highly suggest getting a pair of fleece lined legging.
Astra Lumina does sell hand warmers for $3.00 a pop. This isn’t bad, but if you’re going as a family this can add up. Every year I buy a big box of hot hands for $25 and just keep some in the car for events like this.
This experience will also take you through the garden itself. While the path is very well defined and mostly flat, you will still want to wear good walking shoes.
While walking between the installations, the path is lit with low yellow lanterns and pinkish red backlighting. This lends to the magical feel, but can make it a bit more difficult to see.
Just take it slow and enjoy the views!
The installs themselves are a shining display of light in the dark. They are spectacular to see! But some can feel a bit disorienting while transiting from low light.
My whole family is neurodiviergent with my daughter and I having a bit more sensitivity to light and light changes.
Some of the changes were a bit over stimulating for my daughter, but for the most part we loved the experience still.
This is a multi-sensory experience, so there is a lot of use of sound as well. the sound isn’t super loud, but it is immersive. If you or your children are super sensitive to sound, you may want ear muffs.
Astra Lumina does use sound queues to signal the beginning and the ending of installations, so if you want to be sure to view something in its entirety, keep you ears out for that.
While you’re not allowed to bring in outside food and drink, they do have snacks and hot drinks available for purchase. We ended up getting the hot chocolate and apple cider in some cool thermals that was absolutely prefect for the night.
Would I go again?
My children are already planning our next visit, so yes, we will be going again!
I would consider this a splurge well worth the memories it creates. The magic that installations like this have created for our family is something that will stay with us for a life time and we truly appricate them.
To save on the overall cost of the experience, I would use this link here and the discount code ASTRALUMINAST10 for 10% off and be sure to bring my own hand warmers so I wouldn’t be tempted to buy the ones there.
Wheatear you take the bus or drive will be depended on how many people are with you and if you have a bus pass.
If you already have a monthly Orca pass, taking the bus may be the more budget friendly option.
Without a monthly pass, adult fare in Seattle is $3 one way with a 2 hour transfer window. A parking pass on the other hand is $10. So you can do the calculus.
Lastly I would budget about $10 for a small gift ( we like to get the fridge magnets) and have hot cocoa or apple cider packs ready to go in the car for after.
Final Thoughts
We are so thankful that we got the opportunity to come out and experience Astra Lumina Seattle as a family.
This is a truly magical immersive experience and a great way to kick off the holiday season.
I encourage you all to visit Astra Lumina Seattle if you can (don’t forget to use the discount code Fever provided, ASTRALUMINAST10). If you go, drop a comment down below and let me know what you think!
Also be sure to check out my Instagram and Facebook pages for more event reviews!
Until next time friends
Love, Monnii Bee
