Lantern Festival 2025 in China

The Chinese Lantern Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, usually in February or March. After the Chinese Spring Festival, it is the first significant celebration for the Chinese people to denote the end of the Chinese New Year Festivities. The event is famed for its spectacular lantern displays, cultural performances, and a variety of traditional activities like solving riddles and eating sweet glutinous rice balls, known as tangyuan. With origins dating back over 2,000 years, the festival has evolved into a vibrant spectacle of artistry and heritage.

Lantern fairs are the heart of the Lantern Festival, where streets, parks, and temples transform into glowing wonderlands. Lanterns of all shapes and sizes—from traditional red globes to intricate animal designs—illuminate the night, symbolizing hope and good fortune. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, interactive activities, and fireworks displays. Each lantern tells a story, often depicting Chinese folklore, zodiac animals, or significant events, creating a magical atmosphere for families and visitors alike.

Lantern fairs are especially popular in East China. Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing is the largest and the oldest in China. In Bejing, a popular lantern fair is held in Happy Valley, Chaoyang District, and in Gucheng Village, Yanqing County. In Shanghai, there is Shanghai Yuyuan Lantern Festival. Yuexiu Park Lantern Fair is held in Guangzhou.

Nanjing

One of the most famous Lantern Festival celebrations is held at the Confucius Temple in Nanjing. This historic site, with its Ming-era architecture, becomes a stunning backdrop for thousands of colorful lanterns. Highlights include lantern displays along the Qinhuai River, a serene waterway that reflects the glowing lights. Visitors can also savor local snacks from nearby vendors and enjoy cultural performances, making it a truly immersive experience.

Beijing

In Beijing, the Lantern Festival lights up the Happy Valley amusement park in the Chaoyang District with an extraordinary mix of traditional and modern displays. Visitors can marvel at high-tech lanterns and enjoy the park’s thrilling rides and entertainment. For a more rustic experience, the lantern fair in Gucheng Village, Yanqing County, offers a charming rural setting where traditional customs are preserved. The village’s lanterns, handmade by local artisans, reflect a dedication to Chinese craftsmanship.

Shanghai

The Yuyuan Lantern Festival in Shanghai is one of the city’s most celebrated events, centered around the historic Yuyuan Garden. The festival features grand displays, including a massive central lantern installation in the garden’s main square. Visitors can admire traditional lion and dragon dances, savor local delicacies, and partake in solving lantern riddles.

Guangzhou

In southern China, Guangzhou’s Yuexiu Park hosts a lantern fair that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The park’s expansive grounds are filled with themed lantern displays, often inspired by Cantonese culture and history. The fair also features traditional Chinese opera performances, acrobatic shows, and an array of regional delicacies. The warm subtropical climate adds to the charm, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a festive yet relaxed atmosphere.

Chinese Lanterns are more than just decorations—each kind of lantern means something. In general, they are often red and they symbolize good fortune, joy, and vitality. Some of them mean letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of next year. On the other hand, white ones mean death in the family.