Following a successful debut in 2016, with nearly 100,000 visitors, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is set to return in Franklin Square from May 9 to June 11, 2017.
Brought to you by Historic Philadelphia, the Chinese Lantern Festival is a celebration of light and culture that features artisans from China creating magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant animals, springtime flowers and trees, and symbols of Chinese culture using traditional Chinese methods. Franklin Square will be illuminated nightly with 29 giant lantern displays with more than 15,000 LED lights in 1,500 individual sculptures. The highlight of the festival is the yellow Chinese Dragon lantern that is 200 feet long, 21 feet high, and 3,000 pounds — so large 15 people will operate the dragon’s head! Asian cuisine will be available during the festival, as well as a beer garden and craft shops.
New to the festival in 2017 will be cultural performances, including aerobats and folk dancers.
The Philadelphia event runs evenings beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets will be on sale for the event soon.
–Lissa Poirot
Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.
