The Chinese Lantern Festival Returns to Franklin Square With Live Performances and New Displays
The lights of the the Chinese Lantern Festival will once again illuminate Franklin Square this summer. Starting on June 20th and running until August 18th, this yearly festival draws thousands of visitors to the square and features everything you need to create memorable summer nights.
Franklin Square which is managed and operated by the non-profit Historic Philadelphia, Inc., (HPI) is once again partnering with Tianyu Arts and Culture to bring The Chinese Lantern Festival back to Philly. The festival brings light and culture with plenty of 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 in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, taste a wide variety of food and drink options including 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 and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate. A portion of the proceeds from the Festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.
“The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is a special way for locals and tourists to spend a magical evening in the Historic District,” said Amy Needle, President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. “Once the museums and cultural sites close, families can have a delicious dinner in Chinatown and then enjoy the cultural and artistic immersion that the Festival provides.”
“For 2024, Tianyu’s artists have designed some new imaginative creations,” said Jessie Li, from Tianyu Arts & Culture. “Every year we try to showcase original ideas, and this year visitors will have more interactive lanterns and see an array of flora, insects, animals, Chinese culture, pandas, and, of course, plenty of mesmerizing dragons for the Year of the Dragon.”
Evening in Franklin Square moves to Tuesday, June 18 at 6 pm. The Evening in Franklin Square annual fundraiser features the exclusive preview of the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival. This illuminating evening includes a silent and live auction, the Parx Square Derby carousel race, dinner, and dessert among the lanterns throughout the Square. The Parx Square Derby is a carousel “race” where guests place bets and race to the finish, a highlight of the night. This year’s event will take place throughout Franklin Square so guests can enjoy the lanterns once darkness sets in. All proceeds from Evening in Franklin Square benefit the operation, management, and free community programs in Franklin Square.
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. As for the opening, for the first time, the Evening in Franklin Square fundraiser moves to Tuesday, June 18, allowing attendees a private preview of the Festival before it opens to the public on Thursday, June 20.
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. 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 and available at phillychineselanternfestival.com/.
Monday through Thursday tickets:
· $25 for adults
· $16 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
· $23 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)
Friday through Sunday tickets (timed tickets required):
· $28 for adults
· $16 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
· $26 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)
