I can’t explain the sheer beauty of a lantern festival. As a kid, I went to a summer camp that at the end of every summer we would get little boats with candles on them and float them on the pond, watching the lights dance on the water under the stars.
Finally as a grown-up a few years ago, I got to attend my first proper lantern festival where thousands of people came together to send off paper balloons into the sky, creating our own stars for a brief moment.
If you are also itching to visit an epic night of lights, these are the best lantern festivals in the world to put on your bucket list!
Lantern Festivals And Nature
Festivals and events take place all over the world at all times of the year. That being said, when in doubt, assume a traditional lantern festival (especially in Asian countries) are celebrated around the Full Moon, New Moon, New Year or solstices.
Many light festivals around the Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year which is usually in February but change yearly as it follows a lunar calendar. But, other cultures will celebrate with the first full moon of every month, or at the summer solstice.
There’s a couple that are even aligned with the winter solstice, which makes sense: it’s all about bringing in light to the dark day of the year by releasing lanterns into the sky.
Or, float them on water! In the Chinese culture, floating lanterns are very popular, dating back to the Eastern Han Dynasty when Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang introduced the floating lanterns and had citizens place thousands of them in the Qinhuai River.
Top 16 Lantern Festivals Around the World
Again, while many of these are held around the lunar new year you can always find one that takes place soon!
1. Yi Peng Lantern Festival
- Country: Thailand
- Time of Year: November Full Moon
Celebrated alongside Loi Krathong, the Yi Peng Lantern Festival transforms Chiang Mai into a mesmerizing spectacle. Thousands of “khom loi,” which translates to “floating lantern,” rise into the night sky, creating a breathtaking display of flickering lights. These handcrafted lanterns are traditionally made from rice paper and powered by small candles.
The festival coincides with the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, usually falling in November, and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. People often write wishes, goals or other things they are manifesting on their lanterns before releasing them, adding to the spiritual significance of the event.
While attending Light Fest outside Sacramento a few years ago, my friends and I brought markers so we could write wishes on our lanterns!! It’s so powerful and special so I highly recommend you do that for any festival you attend!
2. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
- Country: Taiwan
- Time of Year: February or March (15th day of the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar)
Nestled in the mountains of Taiwan, the village of Pingxi comes alive each year during the Sky Lantern Festival. The Pingxi Lantern Festival is famous for its mass release of sky lanterns, a tradition believed to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune for the coming year. On the 15th day of the first lunar month, usually falling in February or March, locals and visitors alike gather to write wishes and prayers on brightly colored lanterns.
As night falls, the sky fills with a mesmerizing display of glowing lanterns slowly ascending into the darkness, creating a truly magical experience. It’s a very popular festival so if you are visiting make sure you are traveling in well before the 14th day since it’ll be a mad house!
3. Hoi An Lantern Festival
- Country: Vietnam
- Time of Year: Every full moon
The ancient town of Hoi An in Vietnam transforms into a captivating wonderland every full moon with its enchanting Lantern Festival. Unlike other festivals with mass releases, Hoi An’s beauty lies in its permanent display of colorful lanterns strung across the Thu Bon River and lining the charming streets of the Old Town.
Visitors can witness the local artisans crafting these lanterns using traditional techniques, adding another layer to the cultural experience.
4. Ubud Water Lantern Festival
- Country: Indonesia
- Time of Year: October (full moon of the second Balinese lunar month)
Held on the full moon of the second Balinese lunar month, usually around October, the Ubud Water Lantern Festival offers a unique and serene experience.
Participants gather by the banks of the sacred Campuhan River to release beautifully decorated “melampat,” small floating platforms adorned with flowers, candles, and offerings. This festival is a time for locals to give thanks for blessings received and ask for forgiveness for any transgressions.
5. Light Fest
- Country: United States
- Time of Year: Many throughout the year
Light Fest is the lantern festival I went to with my friends and got hooked on! This traveling lantern festival tours the country and it’s beautiful. Thousands of people will gather in a field outside a major city, get a few paper lanterns and send them off into the sky once it gets dark.
It’s a party, so make sure to come early to claim a good spot, hang out, listen to live music and watch the sunset. Don’t forget to bring markers so you can write wishes on your lantern!!
6. Chengdu Lantern Festival
- Country: China
- Time of Year: February or March (15th day of the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar)
The capital of Sichuan province, Chengdu, explodes with vibrant colors and dazzling displays during its annual Lantern Festival. Another one that is hosted at Lunar New Year, this festival is a vibrant celebration of Chinese culture and traditions.
Elaborate lantern displays depicting mythical creatures, historical scenes, and folklore stories take center stage, transforming public parks and gardens into illuminated wonderlands. Complementing the visual feast are lively performances, acrobatic acts, and a vast array of delicious Sichuan cuisine and glutinous rice balls, making the Chengdu Lantern Festival a truly immersive experience.
Just make sure you come with an empty stomach! It’s hands down one of the best spring lantern festivals.
7. Luang Prabang Loy Krathong Festival
- Country: Laos
- Time of Year: November (full moon of the twelfth lunar month)
Held on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, usually in November, Luang Prabang’s Loy Krathong Festival offers a stunning display of light and devotion. Similar to Thailand’s Loi Krathong, this festival features the release of elaborately decorated “krathongs” – small baskets made from banana leaves and filled with flowers, candles, and incense.
Locals gather along the banks of the Mekong River, gently releasing their krathongs onto the water’s surface. The gentle glow of the candles creates a mesmerizing spectacle, reflecting the vibrant culture and spiritual beliefs of Laos. Loy Krathong is a time to honor the Buddha, give thanks for good fortune, and ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoings.
8. Mid-Autumn Festival / Mooncake Festival
- Country: China
- Time of Year: September or October (15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar)
Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually falling in September or October, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to come together and celebrate unity. Mooncakes, a sweet pastry with a variety of fillings, are a traditional centerpiece of the festival so it’s also referred so as the Mooncake Festival.
The timing varies each year but in general is considered an autumn solstice festival.
Lanterns also play a significant role, with children carrying colorful paper lanterns in the shape of animals or mythical creatures. These lanterns symbolize reunion and the importance of family bonds. The sight of families strolling under the light of the full moon, carrying their lanterns, creates a heartwarming atmosphere during this cherished festival.
9. Tết Nguyên Đán
- Country: Vietnam
- Time of Year: January or February (first day of the lunar calendar)
Marking the start of the new year based on the lunar calendar, Tết Nguyên Đán is the most important festival in Vietnam. Celebrations typically fall in January or February and last for several days. One of the most striking traditions of Tết is the lighting of red lanterns throughout homes and streets.
These red lanterns symbolize good luck, prosperity, and ward off evil spirits. The vibrant glow of the lanterns illuminates neighborhoods, adding to the festive atmosphere of Tết Nguyên Đán. Families gather for elaborate meals, ancestral prayers, and joyous celebrations, making this a truly special time in Vietnam.
10. Diwali (Festival of Lights)
- Country: India
- Time of Year: October or November
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism. This five-day festival, usually falling in October or November, celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Homes are decorated with diyas, small clay lamps filled with oil, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness.
Fireworks illuminate the night sky, and vibrant rangoli patterns adorn entrances, adding to the festive spirit. Diwali is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and share sweets. The mesmerizing display of lights signifies the triumph of hope and knowledge over ignorance.
11. Bon Festival
- Country: Japan
- Time of Year: July or August
The Bon Festival is a Buddhist tradition observed in Japan during the summer months, typically in July or August. This festival honors the spirits of deceased ancestors, believed to return to the earthly realm during this time.
Families visit ancestral graves, clean them, and make offerings of food and drink. One of the most recognizable traditions of Bon is the lighting of lanterns, guiding the spirits home and illuminating their path. These lanterns, often paper and floating on water, create a peaceful and evocative atmosphere during the festival.
The Bon Festival is a time for families to remember and honor their ancestors, fostering a sense of connection between the living and the departed.
12. St. John’s Night
- Country: Poland
- Time of Year: June 23rd
Celebrated on June 23rd, St. John’s Night is a unique Midsummer lantern festival! Bonfires are lit throughout the country, symbolizing the cleansing power of fire and warding off evil spirits.
St. John’s Night is a time for merrymaking, traditional songs and dances, and enjoying the summer solstice
13. Marine Day Lantern Festival
- Country: Japan
- Time of Year: Third Monday of July
Held on the third Monday of July, Marine Day is a national holiday in Japan that celebrates the ocean. In Tokyo, the holiday is marked by a vibrant Lantern Festival. Hundreds of lanterns are released onto the Sumida River, each decorated with messages of hope, gratitude, and prayers for the ocean’s well-being.
The gentle glow of the lanterns floating on the water creates a beautiful scene, reflecting the appreciation for the ocean’s bounty. This festival provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and express respect for the vital role the ocean plays in Japanese life. It’s the best Japanese lantern festival to attend for sure.
14. Rise Lantern Festival
- Country: United States
- Time of Year: Varies
The Rise Lantern Festival is a relatively new addition to the international lantern festival scene, held annually in Las Vegas. This festival offers a unique twist on the traditional sky lantern experience. Participants gather at a designated location, typically an open field, and write wishes on their lanterns before releasing them into the night sky.
The mass release of hundreds of brightly colored lanterns creates a magical spectacle, illuminating the Las Vegas skyline. Complementing the visual feast are live music performances, food trucks offering a variety of cuisines, and other entertainment options, making the Rise Lantern Festival a fun and vibrant event – seriously so many lanterns in the sky at night is something everyone should see and I love how easy it is for us USA folks to get here!
15. Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Festival
- Country: United States
- Time of Year: Memorial Day weekend
Held on Memorial Day weekend, the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaii Festival offers a peaceful and reflective way to honor deceased loved ones. Taking place at Magic Island in Oahu, the festival invites participants to decorate and light paper lanterns before gently releasing them onto the water.
As the lanterns drift away, carrying messages of love and remembrance, they create a moving tribute to those who are gone. The gentle glow of the lanterns on the water’s surface, combined with the serene atmosphere, provides a space for families and friends to come together in remembrance.
PS afterward, hope over to Maui to spend a beautiful week on our favorite island!
16. Gyeongju Lantern Festival
- Country: South Korea
- Time of Year: October or November
The Gyeongju Lantern Festival is a major tourist attraction in South Korea, transforming the ancient city of Gyeongju into a dazzling wonderland during the fall months, typically in October or November.
The festival features elaborate lantern displays showcasing a variety of themes, from traditional Korean scenes and folktales to modern interpretations and artistic expressions. Public parks and historical landmarks become illuminated canvases, adorned with countless lanterns creating a captivating visual experience.
Complementing the lanterns are cultural performances, traditional food stalls, and various activities, making the Gyeongju Lantern Festival a vibrant celebration of Korean art, history, and culture.
I hope this helps you find an amazing lantern festival to put on your bucket list!! Each one is so unique and magical feeling, I can’t wait to attend more.
If you have any ideas to add, please drop a comment below so we can all see!!
