Philadelphia Lantern Festival
Franklin Square will host the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival this summer from June 5 through August 16, featuring illuminated lanterns, live performances, and food vendors — a big, family-friendly Asian cultural event to bookmark PhillyVoice.
The event is produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture tianyuculture.us in partnership with Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the nonprofit that manages and programs Franklin Square. wooderice.com Timed tickets are required on Fridays and Saturdays, according to the PHL Visitor Center ticketing page. phlvisitorcenter.com General-admission prices are listed at $16–$29 by PhillyVoice for recent editions. phillyvoice.com The festival’s official site also states that proceeds support Franklin Square’s operation and year‑round free programs. phillychineselanternfestival.com Organizers say the show uses more than 1,100 handcrafted silk-and-steel sculptures that are welded, wrapped and painted by artisans, per Visit Philly and BillyPenn coverage. visitphilly.com Past installations have even featured a 200‑foot dragon as a centerpiece, documented by Philadelphia Magazine in the festival’s 2016 debut. phillymag.com The festival first debuted in April 2016 to mark Franklin Square’s 10th renovation anniversary and reportedly drew about 92,000 visitors in that initial run, according to Historic Philadelphia and community reporting. phillyvoice.com
