The centuries-old tradition of gathering at lantern fairs around the Chinese New Year Festival remains a beloved custom in Guangdong. During these festive events, families and friends come together to admire colorful lanterns, enjoy fireworks, and share sweet glutinous rice balls. This year, the fairs are blending timeless charm with innovation, featuring high-tech light displays alongside classic attractions, such as calligraphy, folk performances, blessing scrolls, and hands-on intangible cultural heritage experiences.
Guangzhou Spring Festival Lantern Fair, Guangzhou
2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. This year, Guangzhou Yuexiu Park will be filled with horse-themed lanterns as well as Lingnan icons, such as lion dances, kumquats, and Ao fish, all of which will bring blessings for a prosperous new year.
Event Date: January 30-March 8, 2026
Location: Yuexiu Park, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou City
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Lantern Carnival, Guangzhou
For a futuristic high-tech fair, visit the GBA Lantern Carnival! Cyber-style lanterns feature VR interaction, digital light effects, and AI. Spot beloved IPs, drone shows and e-sports competitions here.
Event Date: 16:00-22:30 February 10-May 10, 2026
Location: Nansha Tianhou Palace Scenic Area, No. 88 Tianhou Road,
& Nansha Binhai Park, Dajiao 2nd Road, Nansha District, Guangzhou City
Ancient Town Lantern Festival, Foshan
The Foshan Ancient Town Lantern Festival offers a vibrant mix of tradition and trend. Experience lion dance lanterns, rickshaw rides, horse-themed games with prizes, lively markets, Cantonese concerts, and calligraphy blessings for an authentic Lingnan vibe.
Event Date: January 30-February 15, 2026
Location: Kuaizi Road, Zumiao Street, Chancheng District, Foshan City
Splendid China·Spring Festival Lantern Fair, Shenzhen
Over 40 large-scale lantern installations are spread across 530,000 square meters at the Splendid China-Folk Culture Villages theme park in Shenzhen through March. The displays blend classic and contemporary themes, featuring traditional motifs, such as flowers, birds, legendary figures, and landscapes, alongside modern images from popular cartoons and video games. From afternoon through evening every day, live performances present songs, dances, and splendid traditional costumes of various ethnic groups, adding to the festive vibes.
Event Date: December 5, 2025-March 8, 2026
Location: Splendid China Folk Culture Village, NO. 9005 Shennan Avenue, Shenzhen City
Tangjia Ancient Town Gongle Lantern Fair, Zhuhai
The Gongle Lantern Fair, themed Phoenix Soaring, Mountain & Sea Fantasy, blends phoenix IP, Chinese ancient myths, digital technology, and a century-old garden. While the lanterns and routes double, XR immersive experiences, day & night shows, folk activities, and markets together create an epic light feast.
Event Date: 10:00-16:00, 17:00-22:00 December 31, 2025-March 3, 2026 (closed on February 16)
Location: Gongle Garden, Tangjia Ancient Town, No. 234 Shanfang Road, Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Zhuhai City
Reporter丨Zhou Jiyin
Editor | Yin Juewen
Poster丨Yang Chenyue