From lantern festival to sightseeing: things to do this week

See Light up your life with the Chinese New Year at Chiswick House Gardens where The Magical Lantern Festival London opens on Thursday and runs until February 26. Celebrating the year of the

rooster and with the theme Explore the Silk Road, the festival has more than 50 3D lantern sculptures, including pyramids and the Colosseum, representing scenes from the ancient trade route

between Europe and China. Visitors can also take a spin on fairground rides and enjoy a tipple at the pop-up ice bar. See magicallantern.uk. Listen We think you will like the music of

Dashni Morad, the latest talent to hit the UK music scene. Born in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the former refugee is a big hit across the Middle East and in Europe and will release her

first UK single, Love Wins, this month. Her family fled the regime of Saddam Hussein when Dashni was five and settled in Holland six years later. Proceeds from Dashni’s debut will support

her charity, Green Kids, which helps children in poor and war-torn areas. Visit greenkids.org.uk. Stay The Conrad London St James is the perfect base for a sightseeing weekend in the

capital. It is just minutes from attractions such as Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London  Eye, and serves contemporary British fare and craft beers at the Blue Boar

restaurant and bar. Rooms start at £239 per person per night. For more information, visit conradhotels3.hilton.com or to book call 0203 3018 080.  Go to Head for Glasgow on Thursday for the

city’s annual winter music fest, Celtic Connections. The world, folk and roots festival with more than 2,000 artistes and 18 days of concerts, talks and late sessions, celebrates Celtic

music and its connections around the globe. Brit Award winner Laura Marling joins the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for the opening concert. The festival line-up also includes Bella

Gaffney and Olivia Newton-John. Call 0141 353 8000 or visit celticconnections.com.