My Five Favorite Experiences at the 2025 Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival

1. Turn the Magic Up to the Max With Hundreds of Illuminated Lantern Sculptures

The main attraction. The star of the show. The lanterns … Wow.

Each year, the festival boasts 40 giant, vibrant displays inspired by Asian legends, wildlife and culture. And on their own, the silk-wrapped, steel sculptures are nothing short of mesmerizing.

But then they come to life. Many of them move. Some of them change colors. A few make noise. And a handful even puff out clouds of smoke, steam and … bubbles.

An impressive, color-changing dragon set the scene from the very beginning, surveying attendees from atop the festival entrance while it moved its head left and right.

Later, I watched a glow-in-the-dark volcano erupt with lava and send real smoke into the heavens and glowing wild pigs (resembling Pumba from The Lion King) grunt loudly and literally blow off steam.

A giant peacock surprised festival-goers — myself included — by suddenly showing off its brilliant feathers before hiding them again, and a duo of oversized alligators chatted among themselves, surrounded by fireflies and shamrocks.

If you are an inquiring mind who really wants to know how it all works, keep an eye out for a set of puppet-like sculptures depicting a racing rabbit and fox. The wildlife shows exactly how the engineers behind the displays use science, art and a little bit of magic to animate the masterpieces.

2. Get in on the Action With Interactive Activities, Games & Photo Ops Galore

At this festival, you are more than a spectator in an open-air, living gallery.

This year’s displays incorporate a ton of interactive elements for attendees of all ages to touch, spin, step on, and pose with, so you’re a part of the action, like a character in a fairytale or a player in a vibrant video game.

Speaking of games, this year’s Chinese Lantern Festival is full of them. Competitive spirits, go head-to-head against your loved ones or a new friend with one of the group games, or try your hand at one of the solo-friendly activities. (I found myself trying to outleap a leapfrog.)

Several activations engage the more creative side of your mind. Kids loved interacting with fish and other marine creatures inside a hi-tech, touch-sensitive aquarium, for example.

As for photo ops, you can snap a pic from inside the mouth of a shark, don a pair of magnificent, multi-colored wings and prepare to take flight, and more.

3. Completely Immerse Yourself in the Magic

This year’s uber-interactive experience doesn’t end there. The fest features a variety of fully immersive displays that surround you in light and magic.

Each year, several of the displays stretch from the ground to the skies above. I love strolling through the entrance tunnel of traditional lanterns, welcoming you to the festival, and walking under illuminated arches of flora and wildlife in order to move from section to section.

While those experiences are back for 2025, this year, you can also take a dip in the deep blue seas and swim among a school of glowing jellyfish (probably one of my favorite moments of the entire event) or “accidentally” get eaten by a giant octopus.

If the ocean isn’t your go-to destination, why not take to the skies? Hop on a swing and get carried away by a colorful dragonfly.

4. Watch as Asian Culture Takes Center Stage With Show-Stopping Performances

Whereas the displays highlight Asian folklore and nature, traditional art and culture capture the spotlight live onstage.

2025’s Chinese Lantern Festival sees the return of traditional cultural performances, with this year’s lineup showcasing gravity-defying acrobatics, precision juggling, impressive feats of strength, graceful folk dancing and Bianlian — the mysterious, ancient art of face-changing.

I found myself holding my breath as the young performers juggled actual porcelain jars and performed incredible acts of balance from atop multiple chairs.

Meanwhile, I was completely delighted and mesmerized by the face-changing performer. Donning vibrant Chinese attire, the mystery performer glided along the stage, using sleight of hand to swap between several evocative masks as quickly and fluidly as you and I change expressions — all while performing a passionate dance.

Stage shows are included with festival admission and run three times per night:

• 7:30 p.m.
• 9 p.m.
• 10:15 p.m.

Each show lasts about 30 minutes, so if you want to secure a seat, make sure you get to the stage near the festival entrance a few minutes before the start time. But there’s also a ton of standing room, if you don’t mind being on your feet or popping a squat on the grass.

5. Go on a Culinary Adventure Through Asian & American Cuisine

What’s a festival without good food? Each year, East meets West on the plate at the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival.

Have your pick of chicken satay at Oishii and Dan Dan Cold Noodles at Sang Kee. Or if you’re looking for traditional festival favorites, SquareBurger grills up its namesake burgers and fries. Plus, Chickie’s & Pete’s is always ready with a piping hot order of crab fries.

One thing about me: I love a dumpling. There was no shortage of dumplings at the fest. I opted for traditional pork ones, plus a General Tso’s platter, from Sang Kee, but Humpty Dumpling was also up to the task with its share of creative fried dumplings, like cheesesteak.

The Octopus Cocktail Garden quenches your thirst with a few different varieties of hard seltzers, beer, wine, cocktails and mocktails. My pick: the Lychee Lemonade, which was super sweet and refreshing.

Bonus: Just like last year, The Octopus Cocktail Garden is kitty-corner to a row of artisans creating authentic Chinese folk art, including lanterns, illuminated tabletop decor, and vibrant animal sculptures made from braided aluminum wire.

I could literally go on and on about the attractions at this year’s festival. I haven’t even started on the nightly fountain shows, featuring lights and water choreographed to the tune of Little Apple by Chopstick Brothers, Under the Sea by Howard Ashman from The Little Mermaid and more, or the free, interactive cultural connection workshops available on weekends.

This year’s festival is truly an impressive celebration, full of so much to do and see for all ages.