Lantern Festival

2025 - 2 - 12

Lantern Festival: Lights, Love & Dumplings!

Chinese New Year - Chinese Traditions - Cultural Celebrations - Food Festivals - Lantern Festival - Marriage Customs - Vancouver Events

Join the Lantern Festival fun with glowing traditions, wedding bells, and low-cal dumplings – who knew festivals could be so health-conscious?

The Lantern Festival, a dazzling spectacle celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar, is a radiant end to the Spring Festival festivities. This year, it falls on February 12th, marking a night where the skies come alive with brightly lit lanterns and joy resonates through the streets. In vibrant cities across China, locals and tourists gather to enjoy a myriad of activities that pay homage to customs and folklore, making it an unforgettable experience. From lion dances to grand parades, the festival is a comprehensive showcase of cultural heritage and community spirit.

In anticipation of this radiant celebration, many have taken to planning their perfect night under the glimmering lanterns. Many cities are doubling their efforts, organizing lively activities that feature everything from dragon dances to enchanting light displays, enthralling all ages. It’s a busy time for lovebirds as well, considering that 223 couples tied the knot during the previous year’s festivities in Tseung Kwan O alone! It seems that the romantic charm of the festival extends beyond just the lights and lanterns; it's a celebration of love and unity.

But hold on to your dumplings! A foodie frenzy engulfs the festival, with glutinous rice dumplings taking center stage in culinary delights. In Shenyang, health-conscious innovators have even introduced low-sugar, low-calorie versions to join in on the celebrations. Who knew that joy could be wrapped in a glutinous package while keeping an eye on calories? With traditional culinary masterpieces on the menu, families delight in sharing these tasty treats to symbolize unity and togetherness.

As the Lantern Festival approaches in other countries like New Zealand, ticket demand skyrockets for their vibrant celebrations, drawing huge crowds eager to immerse themselves in the dazzling displays of lights. This enthusiasm highlights how the love for this beautiful festival transcends borders, bringing communities together in celebration.

Did you know that the Lantern Festival is also known as Yuanxiao Festival, named after the sweet rice balls traditionally eaten on this occasion? These treats symbolize family reunion and harmony! Additionally, the Lantern Festival's origins date back to over 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty, making it a rich tradition steeped in history. So whether you're lighting a lantern, tying the knot, or indulging in a sweet dumpling, join in the fun and make the most of this luminous evening!

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Image courtesy of "China Daily"

Festive China: Lantern Festival (China Daily)

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first month on traditional Chinese calendar, which is Feb 12 this year. Its arrival also marks the end of ...

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Image courtesy of "China Daily"

Discover the charms of Lantern Festival with Yuanxi (China Daily)

Where does Lantern Festival get its name? What are the must-dos for Chinese during this celebration?

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Demand for tickets to Auckland's Lantern Festival surges (RNZ)

Almost 90 percent of online tickets to the four-day event that begins Thursday have already been snapped up, organisers say.

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Image courtesy of "Global Times"

ICH celebrations light up Lantern Festival across China - Global Times (Global Times)

With the upcoming Lantern Festival, which falls on Wednesday in 2025, cities across China are pulling out all the stops to celebrate it with a variety of ...

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

Trend Tracker: Foodie Frenzy for Lantern Festival - People's Daily ... (People's Daily Online)

Hello, everyone! I'm Kuku, a total foodie! Today is the Lantern Festival, and in this Chinese Trad.

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Image courtesy of "Hong Kong Standard"

More than 200 couples tie the knot during Lantern Festival (Hong Kong Standard)

According to figures from the Immigration Department, 223 couples tied the knot today, with bookings for the marriage registry in Tseung Kwan O all snapped up ...

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Image courtesy of "Hong Kong Standard"

Carnival Gala Night to celebrate spring lantern festival (Hong Kong Standard)

The Chinese New Year Lantern Carnival Gala Night, which will feature an array of exceptional performances and activities, is scheduled to ta...

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Image courtesy of "CGTN"

CMG releases 2025 Lantern Festival Gala program lineup (CGTN)

China Media Group (CMG) released the program lineup for the highly anticipated 2025 Lantern Festival Gala on Wednesday.

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Various activities held across China to celebrate upcoming Lantern ... (Xinhua)

People perform dragon dance during an event celebrating the Lantern Festival at Yuanshi County in the city of Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, ...

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Image courtesy of "The State Council of the People's Republic of China"

Various activities held across China to celebrate upcoming Lantern ... (The State Council of the People's Republic of China)

People perform dragon dance during an event celebrating the Lantern Festival at Yuanshi County in the city of Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 9 ...

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

The Lantern Festival: A cultural journey - People's Daily Online (People's Daily Online)

This vibrant color is seen all around China during the Spring Festival, from clothes stores to city streets. The Chinese Spring Festival culminates with the ...

Low-sugar, low-calorie glutinous rice dumplings prove new Lantern ... (People's Daily Online)

SHENYANG, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- In Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, the bustling Chinese.

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Image courtesy of "Chinadaily USA"

From dragons to drums, Lantern Festival in Fujian (Chinadaily USA)

Province's traditions brought to Beijing to enliven city's celebrations this year. The Lantern Festival celebrations in Liancheng county, Longyan, ...

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Lantern fairs held in Beijing to mark Lantern Festival (Xinhua)

People visit a lantern fair at Beijing Garden Expo Park in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 10, 2025. Two major lantern fairs are held in Beijing to mark the ...

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Image courtesy of "Surinenglish.com"

Chinese lantern festival will not return to popular Malaga park ... (Surinenglish.com)

The promoters of the three-month-long private event have additionally said that they are dissatisfied with the number of visitors and revenue and they will ...

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Image courtesy of "Global Times"

China's traditional Lantern Festival extends holiday spending spree ... (Global Times)

China's consumption during the Lantern Festival, which fell on Wednesday this year, extended the spending fever seen over the just-concluded Spring Festival ...

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Image courtesy of "The Moodie Davitt Report"

cdf Haikou launches promotional campaign to mark Lantern Festival ... (The Moodie Davitt Report)

Offering an immersive experience for visitors, the marketing campaign features flash mob performances, traditional Chinese design elements, ...

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

'Friendly' snakes to steal spotlight at Auckland Lantern Festival (RNZ)

More than 185000 visitors are expected to attend the dazzling four-day event at Manukau Sports Bowl from 13-16 February.

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Image courtesy of "ecns"

Asian Winter Games gold medalists send Lantern Festival blessings ... (ecns)

(ECNS) -- Chinese gold medalists Feng Junxi and Wang Xue sent their Lantern Festival greetings on Tuesday. “Wish everyone a happy Lantern Festival, ...

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Various activities held across China to celebrate Lantern Festival (Xinhua)

People watch dragon dance parade in Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Feb. 12, 2025. · People enjoy lanterns at Bailuzhou Park in ...

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

Various activities held across China to celebrate Lantern Festival ... (People's Daily Online)

People watch dragon dance parade in Liuzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, F.

Chinese culture on display at Lantern Festival celebration in ... (Xinhua)

AMMAN, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- The China Cultural Center in Amman hosted a Lantern Festival celebration on Wednesday, marking the end of Chinese Spring Festival ...

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Community event held to celebrate Lantern Festival in Canada (Xinhua)

People view lantern decorations during a community event celebrating the Lantern Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Feb. 12, 2025.

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

Community event held to celebrate Lantern Festival in Canada (Xinhua)

People view lantern decorations during a community event celebrating the Lantern Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Feb. 12, 2025.

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

In pics: Festivities mark Lantern Festival across China - People's ... (People's Daily Online)

12 this year, took place across China, filling the country with a joyful atmosphere. Breathtaking displays of colorful lanterns, vibrant dragon and lion dances, ...

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Image courtesy of "Xinhua"

In pics: Lantern Festival celebration event in Morocco (Xinhua)

A Moroccan woman takes a selfie with a snake-shaped lantern at a Lantern Festival celebration event in Rabat, Morocco, on Feb. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Huo Jing).

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Image courtesy of "People's Daily Online"

In pics: Lantern Festival celebration event in Morocco - People's ... (People's Daily Online)

A Moroccan woman takes a selfie with a snake-shaped lantern at a Lantern Festival celebration event.

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