The Lantern Festival, which is on the 15th day of the first lunar month and falls on February 24 this year, marks the final day of Spring Festival celebrations. From lantern exhibitions to temple fairs and dazzling fireworks displays, Guangdong has geared up for a vibrant array of festivities to delight locals and visitors alike.
Lantern fair
The Guangzhou Cultural Park has dazzled with the 2024 Lantern Fair until February 24. The lantern fair demonstrates the zodiac element of the "loong (Chinese dragon)" with a record-breaking number of 40 lantern groups, and integrates thematic lanterns into floral landscapes.
Furthermore, the 2024 Bay Area Super Lantern Show in Shenzhen's OCT Harbour features a 2000-square-meter dazzling sea of lanterns, over 40 themed lantern sets, and a lantern street. The event will run until March 3, promising an imaginative journey with lanterns shaped like mythological beasts, Chinese dragons, and carp leaping over the dragon gate.
(Photo: Bay Area Super Lantern Show)
Temple fair
The 2024 Yuexiu Temple Fair, a celebration of Cantonese folk culture, will kick off on February 24 with seven days of festivities planned across various locations in Guangzhou's Yuexiu District. The event arranges over 120 activities, featuring Cantonese folk culture parades, intangible cultural heritage fairs, talent shows, culinary delights, and temple fairs.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
The main venue, centered along Guangzhou's traditional axis, will be anchored at Beijing Road, with additional stages at the Dongshankou area, Square of the Temple of the Five Immortals, Yangji Village, Yaotai Village, and so on.
Fireworks & drone show
Guangzhou's Huangpu District is set to hold a fireworks show on the Lantern Festival, which falls on February 24th this year. The event will take place from 20:00 to 20:45 on that day at Jiulong Lake, China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, along with drone shows.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Related news: Guangzhou's Huangpu to stage fireworks show on Lantern Festival
Dragon dance parade
A grand dragon dance parade is scheduled for the morning of February 24 in Huizhou. The event will feature five grand formations, bringing together 18 nationally representative intangible cultural heritage dragon dance projects from 12 provinces across China, as well as two lion dance teams from Hong Kong and Macao, and 31 intangible cultural heritage projects from within Guangdong Province.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Related news: Huizhou celebrates Lantern Festival with Chinese dragons
Crossing Tongji Bridge
In Foshan, there's a saying: "Crossing Tongji Bridge, trouble goes away." Crossing Tongji Bridge is a traditional folk activity in Foshan on the 16th day of the first lunar month. In ancient times, Tongji Bridge was a vital transportation and trade route. Therefore, since the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, local merchants crossed the bridge to ensure prosperous business in the coming year, gradually turning it into a custom. Over time, many now also participate in this activity on the 15th day of the first lunar month.
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
People often carry auspicious items such as pinwheels, symbolizing "turning fortunes," lettuce, signifying "wealth", as well as wind chimes, which herald "good news." After crossing Tongji Bridge, it is customary to bring the lettuce home, symbolizing "welcoming wealth."
(Photo: Nanfang Daily)
Time: February 24-25
Location: Tongji Bridge, Foshan
This year, one can start his/her trip from Wenhua North Road (Zhaoxiang intersection), Jihua Road (Fenjiang intersection), Weiguo Road (Fenjiang intersection), or Middle Wenhua Road (Jihua Tunnel junction), and finally arrive at Pulan Road Number Two (Tongji Road, East Tonghua Road Number One, East Tonghua Road Number Two) via Tongji Bridge.
Reporter | Holly
Poster | Mia
Editor | Nan, Monica, James
