Lantern Festival
Also called: Yuanxiao Festival, Shangyuan Festival
What is Lantern Festival?
The Lantern Festival closes the Chinese New Year celebrations on the 15th day of the first lunar month, traditionally the first full-moon night of the year. Streets fill with lanterns, families eat sweet rice balls and people try to solve riddles written on the lanterns.
Lantern Festival dates 2026–2030
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 | |
| 2029 | |
| 2030 |
Where it comes from
Lantern displays on this night go back more than 2,000 years. Many stories are told about its beginnings, from Buddhist lamp-lighting to emperors opening the city at night; none can be proved, but all agree it is the night when the whole town comes out.
How people celebrate
- Admire the lanterns (赏花灯) at temple fairs and parks
- Guess lantern riddles (猜灯谜) written on paper slips hung from the lanterns
- Eat sweet rice balls — called 汤圆 in the south and 元宵 in the north
- Watch lion and dragon dances
Words and greetings
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 元宵节快乐 | PinyinYuánxiāojié kuàilè | EnglishHappy Lantern Festival |
| 汤圆 | Pinyintāngyuán | Englishsweet rice balls (southern name) |
| 元宵 | Pinyinyuánxiāo | Englishsweet rice balls (northern name); also the festival |
| 猜灯谜 | Pinyincāi dēngmí | Englishto guess lantern riddles |
| 赏花灯 | Pinyinshǎng huādēng | Englishto admire the lanterns |
| 团团圆圆 | Pinyintuántuán-yuányuán | Englishtogether as a family (said with the round rice balls) |
元宵节快乐 (Happy Lantern Festival) is the standard greeting.
Is it a public holiday?
Not a public holiday in mainland China, but it marks the end of the New Year season; in Singapore and Malaysia it is also Chap Goh Meh, sometimes called the Chinese Valentine's Day there.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Lantern Festival in 2027?
Saturday 20 February 2027, the 15th day of the first lunar month.
What do people eat at the Lantern Festival?
Sweet glutinous rice balls: 汤圆 (tāngyuán) in the south and 元宵 (yuánxiāo) in the north. Their round shape stands for a family that is together.
Is the Lantern Festival part of Chinese New Year?
Yes. It is the last day of the New Year season, on the 15th day of the first lunar month (14 days after Chinese New Year's Day).