The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Is Extending Until August 30 and Will Offer Weekly Promotions
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Is Extending Until August 30 and Will Offer Weekly Promotions
Historic Philadelphia, Inc. (HPI), the nonprofit organization that manages and operates Franklin Square, along with partner Tianyu Arts & Culture, has announced that the 2026 Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival will extend through Sunday, August 30, giving visitors two additional weeks to attend. All lanterns featured in this year’s festival were newly custom-designed for the event.
Through the end of the extended run, the festival is offering special promotions each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
- Dollar Dumpling Mondays — Guests can purchase dumplings at a discount, including any Humpty’s Dumplings item for 3 for $3, and Sang Kee steamed pork dumplings for 6 for $6.
- Year of the Horse Free Carousel Tuesdays — Visitors can ride the Parx Liberty Carousel for free with a coupon distributed upon entry, a $4 value per ticket.
- Get Lucky Date Night Wednesdays — Guests who purchase adult admission for two receive free Philly Mini Golf for two, a $30 value, with coupons distributed at entry.
These weekly specials are valid during festival hours on their respective days through August 30. Full offer details are available at phillychineselanternfestival.org.
About the Festival
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival features illuminated sculptures crafted from steel frames and silk, with designs incorporating animal and floral themes. The lanterns are produced by Tianyu Arts and Culture, an international event design and manufacturing company based in Zigong, Sichuan, China.
In addition to the lantern displays, the festival includes live cultural stage performances and a choreographed fountain light show at the Rendell Family Fountain. Food and drink offerings include Asian cuisine, American comfort food and cocktails available in the festival’s Cocktail Garden. Guests can also access discounted rates for Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel. A portion of festival proceeds supports Historic Philadelphia, Inc.’s programming and year-round free events at Franklin Square.
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square is located at 6th and Race Streets and runs through August 30, 2026, from 6 to 11 p.m. daily.
During the festival, Franklin Square remains open and free during regular daytime hours, and the Franklin Square Playground is open and free both during the day and evening, accessible from 7th Street. Lanterns can be viewed for free during the day as part of a scavenger hunt; a ticket is required for nighttime entry after 6 p.m., and re-entry is not permitted. The park closes daily at 5 p.m. to prepare for the evening festival, and advance tickets are recommended.
Ticket Prices
Monday–Thursday:
- $28 for adults
- $16 for children (ages 3–13; children 2 and under are free)
- $25 for seniors (65+) and active military with ID
Friday–Sunday (timed tickets required):
- $32 for adults
- $16 for children (ages 3–13; children 2 and under are free)
- $29 for seniors (65+) and active military with ID
Discounted tickets for Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel are available during the festival. Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and additional fees apply for online ticket purchases.
