February 28, 2017
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival will return to Franklin Square, from May 9 - June 11, 2017, and will feature all new creations as well as the newly-rebuilt, 200-foot Chinese Dragon.
This summer, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival will return for a second year. The festival celebrating Chinese culture will be at Franklin Square from May 9 through June 11.
The eye-catching 200-foot-long silk dragon will be back, but there are also many new things to experience at the 2017 festival.
Attendees can view an all-new collection of illuminated silk sculptures. Many of the steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant animals, springtime flowers and symbols of Chinese culture will be created by Chinese artisans and then shipped to the park.
There will be 29 illuminated lantern displays, made up of 1,500 individual sculptures that use more than 15,000 LED lights.
On select days throughout April, Philadelphians can watch the lanterns be assembled for free.
Children 12 and younger also have a chance to design their own lantern for the festival. A new design contest asks children to submit a drawing of one of three Chinese zodiac animals: monkey, rooster or dog.
The winning design will be displayed throughout the park, and the winner will get to take a lantern home after the festival concludes.
Designs must be submitted between March 1 and March 31.
In addition to the glowing lanterns, there will be authentic cultural performances, acrobats and folk dancers to entertain guests.
To eat and drink, there will be the Dragon Beer Garden and a mix of Asian and American cuisine.
After 6 p.m., the festival requires tickets for entry. Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and military and $12 for those 3-17 years old. Children 2 and under are free. Tickets are available at the festival entrance or online.
Below are pictures from last year's event.
The silk sculptures are usually brightly colored, then illuminated with lights.
A team from Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. was responsible for constructing the installations and props for the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in 2016.
Pandas are a popular lantern design at the festival.
The 200-foot Chinese Dragon from last year's Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival at Franklin Square.
An entryway to the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, held at Franklin Square in 2016.
May 9 through June 11
Opening at 6 p.m. daily
Franklin Square
200 Sixth St.
(215) 629-4026
