The Chinese Lantern Festival is Returning to Franklin Square This June Featuring New Displays
It’s back. The Chinese Lantern Festival is returning for another year to light up Franklin Square. This year the festival will run from June 21 – August 13 and will celebrate light and culture with their photogenic steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted artistic sculptures. The popular 200-foot-long dragon returns along with never-before-seen giant lantern displays.
In addition to the light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show, taste Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise. Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf, ride the Parx Liberty Carousel, and more. A portion of the proceeds from the Festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit that operates and manages Franklin Square, for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events. Stay tuned to www.phillychineselanternfestival.org for updated information.
Construction on the lanterns will begin in Franklin Square in late May. For over a month, artists will weld, light, wrap, and paint each of the lanterns by hand. During the Festival, Franklin Square is open and free during regular daytime hours. The Franklin Square Playground will be fully open and free both daytime and during the evening hours, accessible from 7th Street, and for festival goers from inside the park. The lanterns are able to be viewed for free during daytime, while a ticket is required for nighttime entrance after 6 pm (no re-entry). The park will close daily at 5 pm to prepare for the nightly Festival. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.
Sunday through Thursday tickets:
$22 for adults
$14 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
$20 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)
Friday and Saturday tickets (timed tickets required):
$25 for adults
$14 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
$23 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)
Combination tickets including Franklin Square attractions are available.
