It felt like the only bright light people remembered from The 2012 State Fair of Texas was the soft glow of Big Tex all aflame. Determined to step out of a 52-foot smoldering shadow, the first-of-its-kind Chinese Lantern Festival is extending it's stay at Fair Park until Jan. 6.

Occupying the Fair Park Lagoon and much of the surrounding grounds, the Chinese Lantern Festival is an impressive display of silk lamps aglow with twinkling lights and even a dragon constructed of porcelain dishes. 

There are stage shows, traditional food, crafts and souvenirs for sale at the festival, as well as an opportunity to be dazzled by the 22 different lantern sets — some even floating on the lagoon itself!

Get directions and schedules for the Chinese Lantern Festival on the show's website.