The Chinese Lantern Festival will return to Franklin Square this summer, and it’ll once again be loaded with steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lit-up artistic sculptures that brighten up the historic area of the city. The festivities will officially open to the public on June 20, but for the first time, the Evening in Franklin Square fundraiser has been moved to Tuesday, June 18, allowing attendees a private preview of the Festival two days before opening.
What Philadelphians can expect in 2024 is the popular 200-foot-long dragon (and this year also happens to be The Year of the Dragon) along with completely new lantern displays and immersive experiences, live cultural stage performances, Asian-themed food, the Dragon Beer Garden, and a front-row seat to the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain.
A portion of the proceeds from the Festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this public space and its many year-round free events, and the Lanterns will be on site until Aug. 18. The displays are free to view during the day, but tickets are required for nighttime entrance.
For more information, visit historicphiladelphia.org
