Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Meets Franklin Square Again!

‘A Celebration of Light & Culture’ 

The Chinese Lantern Festival has been extended until July 14!

The Chinese Lantern Festival is back for a 4th year in 2019!

Be visually inspired as visitors will get to experience the Chinese Lantern Festival again at Franklin Square in Historic Philadelphia May 1 to June 30.

The Festival is a celebration of light and culture that features artisans from China creating magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted sculptures, using traditional Chinese methods.

The square will come alive and glow, being bigger than ever before, with 30 larger-than-life illuminated displays made of 2,000 individual lanterns and 20,000 LED lights in brilliant colors that will glow in the Square. All of the lanterns will be new for the 2019 Festival, including new lighting design techniques.

According to Historic Philadelphia, Inc., highlights include a 200-foot long phoenix (different from previous years’ giant dragon), a dragon tunnel guests can walk through, mythological creatures created from small glass bottles filled with colored water, and interactive installations like a fortune-telling wheel.

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 2017, the date falls on February 20. Due to the cold winters in Philadelphia, it’s been 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.

The festival also promises nightly entertainment with awe-inspiring cultural stage performances, to include the unusual and impressive face-changers. Visitors can taste Asian cuisine and American favorites, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ creations crafted on site.

Visitors can also play Philly Mini Golf, ride the Parx Liberty Carousel (additional tickets required for both), and enjoy Center City’s best play place. For details, Click Here. The Franklin Square Playground remains free and open until 9 pm each day. During Festival hours, guests not entering the Festival may use the 7th street entrance.

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Student Design Contest

This contest gives area youth the opportunity to design a lantern for the 2019 Festival. Children ages 8-14 are invited to submit a drawing of a pig to celebrate the Year of the Pig. Lantern artists from China then bring the winning drawings to life and create an actual sculpture based on the students’ designs. Submissions are due by March 25. For ,ore information, Click Here.

Chinese Lantern Festival

Location

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

Dates

May 1 – June 30, 2019 – Extended until July 14, 2019

Times

Monday – Sunday 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm  

Cost

At set times above, this is a ticketed event: 

Adults $18.00 Sunday – Thursday; $20.00 Friday & Saturday

Seniors (Ages 65+) & Military (with ID)$16.00 Sunday – Thursday; $18.00 Friday & Saturday

Students (13-17 and with current student ID) $16.00 Sunday – Thursday; $18.00 Friday & Saturday

Children (Ages 3 – 12; 2 and under is free )$12.00

Nighttime admission includes daily live performances. (Timed tickets required for Friday & Saturday nights) – TICKETS: Get Tickets Now!

Web Site

• Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Photos Are Renditions Courtesy of Historic Philadelphia