As 2025 wraps up, Nanjing’s lantern magic is back! The Qinhuai Lantern Festival, China’s national-level intangible cultural heritage event, enters its 40th edition with a glow-up you won’t want to miss ✨🏮
Mark your calendars for December 26: the lantern art exhibition at Bailuzhou Park will light up the riverside, setting the vibe for our upcoming New Year celebrations 🎉
This year’s show steps up its game in scale, creativity, and visitor fun. Alongside the classic Qinhuai lanterns, you’ll dive into a dazzling mix of regional lantern art, all under one sky:
- 🟠 Foshan colored lanterns
- 🌸 Quanzhou flower lanterns
- 🐉 Xianju lanterns
- 🌐 Suzhou lantern art
Blending local New Year customs, the cultural symbolism of the 2026 Year of the Horse, and centuries of Qinhuai lantern-making heritage, the festival unfolds across seven themed zones with over 40 installations. The winding pathways promise an immersive “each step reveals a new view” experience 🌟
The best part? The lantern exhibition runs until May 2026, so you’ve got months to plan the ultimate light-filled outing with friends or family along the scenic Qinhuai River 🌊📸
Whether you’re updating your Insta feed, diving into cultural traditions, or simply chasing that festive glow, Nanjing’s Qinhuai Lantern Festival is the place to be this season!
Reference(s):
Nanjing's Qinhuai Lantern Festival builds anticipation for New Year
cgtn.com
