The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is a time-honored tradition in China that is marked by various folk activities such as appreciating lanterns, eating yuanxiao, guessing lantern riddles, and making social fires. This festival, which falls on February 24th this year, is an occasion for people to come together and enjoy the first full-moon night of the year.
In Shanghai, as the Lantern Festival approaches, the city is bustling with activity as citizens line up to taste and buy traditional glutinous rice balls in preparation for the festival. Popular flavors such as black sesame and fresh meat are flying off the shelves, while new variations like durian and bayberry are also gaining popularity.
Meanwhile, in Fujian Xianyou, the ancient town of Fengting comes alive with a thousand-year-old tradition of lantern parades and artistic performances to celebrate the Lantern Festival. The colorful lanterns and floats, each with their unique designs, create a festive atmosphere that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Further north in Liaoyuan, Jilin, the Lantern Festival is celebrated in an ice and snow park with performances, lantern viewing, and riddle guessing activities. The Northeastern hospitality is on full display as visitors enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival amidst the icy landscape.
In Luxi, Jiangxi, the Lantern Festival is marked with dragon dances and other colorful folk activities that attract tourists and citizens alike. The streets come alive with the vibrant procession of dragon dance teams, adding to the festive New Year atmosphere that permeates the entire county.
As people across China come together to celebrate the Lantern Festival, these diverse and vibrant traditions showcase the unique cultural heritage and spirit of unity that define this special time of year.