Until March 22: Chengdu Expo Park Lantern Festival

Chengdu Expo Park Lantern Festival

成都世博园「南北年味儿在世园」新春灯会

Kicking off on February 10 and running through March 22, the 2nd “Northern and Southern New Year Flavors at Expo Park” Lantern Festival at Chengdu World Horticultural Expo Park unfolds as a spectacular 41-day Chinese New Year celebration, boasting more than 200 exquisitely crafted lantern installations spread across three distinct themed zones.

Titled ‘Steed Leaps for a New Spring · Lanterns Shine Over the Expo Park’, *Blossom Secret Realm · Butterfly Dreams of Spring Dawn and New Year Flavors Across China · Blessings Fill the Huaxia Land* respectively, these zones artfully blend the grand imagery of the 2026 Year of the Horse, poetic floral landscapes, and the unique fusion of northern and southern Chinese New Year traditions, turning every step of the visit into a vivid journey through cultural stories and festive charm.

Far beyond mere lantern viewing, the festival curates an all-round immersive experience that weaves together authentic local food fairs, a dazzling roster of live performances, vibrant shopping experiences and cutting-edge interactive light shows. The park comes alive with a rotating schedule of spectacular events: elegant flower goddess parades and vibrant Hanfu processions paint a picture of traditional ritual; the thunderous energy of fire dragon and lion dances ignites the night with joy; and the breathtaking intangible cultural heritage iron-flower show dazzles visitors as golden sparks burst into the sky like a shower of starlight, perfectly paired with cinematic lantern theatre experiences that cater to all ages. High-tech spectacles like drone sky shows and architectural light displays at Jinyun Tower further merge modern innovation with traditional artistry, creating stunning visual impacts.

Complementing the visual and cultural feasts are lively food stalls and snack markets showcasing authentic local flavours, alongside folk performances and intangible cultural heritage demonstrations that infuse the evenings with dynamic rhythms and rich cultural connotations. The park also hosts the inaugural *Village Sugar Fair* (New Year Goods Special) at its No.1 Gate Square, gathering local specialties, handcrafted cultural and creative products, and festive delicacies from across the region, offering a one-stop experience of shopping, tasting and cultural exploration. With a limited-time early bird ticket priced at only ¥39.9, this luminous winter-to-spring festival transforms the sprawling expo park into a vibrant canvas of light and joy, where tradition and modernity converge, and the warmth and bustle of Chinese New Year are woven into an unforgettable ocean of light for every visitor.

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