Chinese Lantern Festival At Franklin Square April 22 – June 12

A 200-foot Chinese dragon is one of the many illuminated attractions at the Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square. (Photo by Sichuan Tianyu courtesy Chinese Lantern Festival)

‘A Celebration of Light & Culture’ 

Be visually inspired as visitors will get to experience the Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square in Historic Philadelphia April 22 to June 12.

The Festival, appearing for the first time in the Northeast United States, is a celebration of light and culture that features artisans from China and the Philadelphia region.

In conjunction with Franklin Square’s 10-year anniversary, the square will come alive and glow with more than 25 larger-than-life illuminated displays of handcrafted giant flowers, a three-story pagoda and a huge 200-foot Chinese dragon. These displays were created using traditional Chinese methods with thousands of LED lights in brilliant colors. The lanterns for the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival were created in China, especially for this event and sent via container ship to the United States.

Background on Chinese Lanterns and Lantern Festival

Traditionally, the Lantern Festival is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar marking the last day of the lunar New Year celebration dating back nearly 2000 years. In 2016, the date falls on February 22. Due to the cold winters in Philadelphia, Historic Philadelphia decided to hold the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square in the spring, allowing visitors to enjoy more time with them outside, and incorporating symbols of spring into the design. In ancient times, the lanterns were fairly simple, and only the emperor and noblemen had large ornate ones. In modern times, lanterns have been embellished with many complex designs such as the ones on view at the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square. The prominence of red in the designs symbolizes good fortune.

Skilled artists will set up in booths at different sections throughout the square and will create everything from edible sugar dragons to Chinese paintings of visitors’ names on site. The festival also promises nightly entertainment with awes-inspiring performances such as acrobatics and balancing acts, as well as a variety of food options. Visitors will still be able to play mini-golf, ride the carousel and more.

Update 4-20-16 – Beer Garden at the Chinese Lantern Festival

Enjoy the Dragon Beer Garden at the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival that will feature culturally-inspired snacks and non-alcoholic drinks by Cooperage 7 days a week!

Schedule: Thursdays – Saturdays: beer, wine, and cocktails available. Specialty “mocktails” served for the duration of the Festival will become cocktails with an addition of a variety of spirits.

Snacks served in the Dragon Beer Garden: Chilled Chinese vegetable noodles with teriyaki mojo, green tea-infused deviled eggs with wasabi and ginger, and white truffle buttermilk ranch potato chips. Beer and wine options are Tsing Tao, Tiger Beer, Crabby’s Ginger Beer, Sapporo, Yuengling, Heineken and a rotating tap of local craft beers served on the Cooperage Beer Bike (when available), and Underwood Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. Cocktails and mocktails will be Thai Basil Limeade, Lychee & Coconut Water, and Moscow Mule served with a choice of vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, and cognac (Thursdays – Saturdays) or mango, strawberry, or pineapple syrup (nightly).

Chinese Lantern Festival

Location

Franklin Square 200 N 6th St (6th & Race Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19176

Dates

April 22 – June 12, 2016

Times

Sunday – Thursday  |  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Friday & Saturday  |  6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Cost

At set times above, this is a ticketed event $17 per adult $12 for those 17-years-old and under Nighttime admission includes daily live performances TICKETS: Get Tickets Now!

Web Site

• Chinese Lantern Festival

Photos courtesy of Chinese Lantern Festival