The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival returns this summer to Franklin Square, June 21 – August 13, 2023, with magnificent steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted artistic sculptures.

Leopards and tigers and dragons, oh my! The popular 200-foot-long dragon returns along with never-before-seen giant lantern displays.

Activities Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

In addition to the light installations, visitors can enjoy live cultural stage performances, see the choreographed fountain light show, taste Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drink a toast at the Dragon Beer Garden, and shop for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site as well as Festival-themed merchandise.

The Festival will illuminate Franklin Square at 6th & Race Streets in Historic Philadelphia. Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf, ride the Parx Liberty Carousel, and more.

During the Festival, Franklin Square is open and free during regular daytime hours. The Franklin Square Playground will be fully open and free both daytime and during the evening hours, accessible from 7th Street, and for festivalgoers from inside the park.

The lanterns are able to be viewed for free during daytime, while a ticket is required for nighttime entrance after 6 pm (no re-entry). The park will close daily at 5 pm to prepare for the nightly Festival. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.

Student Design Contest

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival Student Design Contest presented by Temple University gives area students the opportunity to design a lantern for the 2023 Festival.

Children ages 8-14 are invited to submit a drawing of a rabbit to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Winning drawings will be crafted into lanterns and displayed during the Festival. The students will be able to take the lantern home with them at the conclusion of the Festival.

• Deadline for submissions is Friday, May 26, 2023, midnight.
• Only one design per participant is permitted.
• Must include the student’s name, age, and hometown and a name, phone number, and e-mail for a parent or guardian.
• Contest winners will be announced in June and listed in a Lantern Festival press release.
• Winners and their families will be invited to the Festival Preview Event on June 20th and receive 10 tickets to visit to the festival.

SUBMIT BY E-MAIL: info@historicphiladelphia.org, with subject line “Student Design Contest.”

SUBMIT BY MAIL: Historic Philadelphia, Inc., 601 Walnut Street, Suite 130E, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

Tickets Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

Sunday through Thursday tickets:

· $22 for adults
· $14 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
· $20 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)

Friday and Saturday tickets (timed tickets required):

· $25 for adults
· $14 for children (ages 3-12, 2 and under are free)
· $23 for youth (13-17), senior (65+), and active military (with I.D.)

Combination tickets including Franklin Square attractions are available.

Attractions in Franklin Square

Philly Mini Golf: Putt around the city on this Philadelphia-themed miniature golf course. $13 adults/$11 children (3-12), guests 2 years of age and younger are FREE with paid accompanying guardian

Parx Liberty Carousel: A zebra, a lion, an eagle, horses and more! Hop on this spectacular all-American style carousel with hometown racehorse heroes Afleet Alex and Smarty Jones. $4 per person (adult or child), guests 2 years of age and younger are FREE with paid accompanying guardian

Playgrounds: Slides, swings, and spinners…bring the kids and enjoy two playgrounds! Open year-round and free.

Franklin Square Fountain Show: FREE choreographed “performances” of fountain jets dancing magically with dramatic lighting and music, both day and night. April 29 – October 31, with daily performances every 30 minutes from 12 pm until closing

SquareBurger: SquareBurger has a delicious menu operated by Cooperage. Food options include burgers, fries, and classic thick milkshakes including the legendary Original Cake Shake made with Tastykake Butterscotch Krimpets®. Hours vary by season, visit historicphiladelphia.org for schedule and full menu.

A portion of the proceeds from the Festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc., the non-profit that operates and manages Franklin Square, for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.

Learn more, visit - www.phillychineselanternfestival.org