This weekend, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is back at Franklin Square with a line-up of new colorful offerings inspired by the Year of the Horse.
Every year, the illuminating occasion lights up the historic part of the city with steel-framed and silk-wrapped artistic sculptures—and it's all rather extraordinary.
All of the lanterns featured in this year’s festival are newly designed, and in total, the venue will feature more than 1,100 individual creations across almost 40 immersive displays. This year’s festival also celebrates the city’s global audience this summer, with unique lanterns honoring historic landmarks and major events, including Independence Hall, Philly Summer Soccer, and the Tunnel of Champions.
Among the festival’s most impressive creations is a massive green dragon stretching 164 feet long and 21 feet high—longer than three school buses and weighing 6,000 pounds. Another standout is the sprawling Radiant Rainforest installation, which requires thousands of individually attached leaves and flower petals, making it one of the most labor-intensive displays in the festival.
The 2026 festival also places a strong emphasis on interactive experiences. Guests can pedal bicycles to activate lanterns, participate in hands-on attractions like the Panda Climb and Butterfly Game, and walk through the 85-foot-long display.
On top of the lanterns, the Franklin Square Fountain Show at the historic Rendell Family Fountain is also back, featuring choreographed water, lights, and music. Festival admission also includes three nightly 30-minute performances by artists from China, showcasing traditional acrobatic arts and cultural showcases. Highlights include the Face-Changing (Bianlian) performance, where masks transform in an instant, as well as table-foot juggling, hat and stick juggling, head balancing, and the popular Spacewalk act.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, guests can also participate in free Cultural Connections activities in the Franklin Square Pavilion, including photo opportunities with the Face Changer and interactive dumpling-making workshops presented by Sang Kee. (Note, that performers and schedules are subject to change).
Festival-goers can enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages throughout the event as well. The nightly Cocktail Garden, operated by Cescaphe, will serve exclusive canned cocktails created for the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, along with wine, beer, mocktails, and a family-friendly specialty drink, dubbed the Lil’ Pony Punch. On weekends, an additional mobile cocktail bar will offer refreshments at locations throughout the festival grounds.
Local vendors will also serve Chinese, Asian fusion, and international flavors with dishes like dumplings, bao buns, fried rice, noodles, spring rolls, Korean-inspired specialties, smoothies, bubble teas, and mochi ice cream. Highlights include Sang Kee’s signature pineapple smoothie and a rotating selection of creative fusion bites from Humpty’s Dumplings.
For those craving traditional American fare, SquareBurger will offer burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, salads, milkshakes, and seasonal specialties, while Chickie’s & Pete’s will also make its Lantern Festival debut in 2026. Additionally, festival-goers will find funnel cakes, ice cream, specialty shakes, and whimsical cotton candy creations shaped like animals, flowers, and popular characters.
Visitors can also take advantage of special promotions throughout the Festival. On select Mondays from June 15 through Aug. 3, the first 500 guests each evening will receive a complimentary Festival-themed giveaway, including keychains, pins, fans, bracelets, bags, and other commemorative items. In addition, the Panda Promotions program offers discounts and special offers at participating Chinatown businesses for guests who present their Festival tickets.
Franklin Square’s popular attractions will also be available at discounted rates during Lantern Festival hours, including Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel. Beyond the Lantern Festival, Franklin Square offers a variety of free activities all summer long. Families can participate in a daytime Lantern Scavenger Hunt, join free Tai Chi sessions, attend Storytime in the Square, and enjoy special seasonal events such as the Red, White & Blue To-Do, Dog Days of Summer, National Carousel Day, and Franklin Square’s 20th Birthday Celebration.
Festival admission options include single-day tickets as well as a season pass that provides unlimited entry throughout the Festival. Discounted rates are also available for Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel. The Festival is held rain or shine, and tickets may be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ advance notice. Group sales and private event rentals are available as well. For more information, visit phillychineselanternfestival.com
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