Your guide to magical Lantern Festival in Xiamen

The 2026 Xiamen Lantern Festival Tourism Carnival in Southeast China's Fujian Province will soon kick off, featuring over 500 cultural and tourism events to accompany residents and tourists in celebrating the occasion.

The event covers seven major themes — intangible cultural heritage, lantern fairs, trendy entertainment, performing arts, flower appreciation, academies, and marine activities — blending traditional Minnan (Southern Fujian) Lantern Festival customs with modern trends and technological elements.

It will also bring together Lantern Festival ICH items from provinces like Guangdong, Jiangxi, and cities in Southwest Fujian like Zhangzhou and Longyan, offering both residents and visitors an immersive and celebratory experience.

The carnival will illuminate the city with its radiant lantern displays, kicking off with the grand Xiamen Horticulture Expo Garden Lantern Fair. Featuring 31 large-scale, themed lantern installations across a 270-mu (about 18 hectares) core area, the event will weave together waterfront lights and the interplay of light and shadow, establishing itself as a must-visit evening attraction for cultural tourism in Xiamen.

During the carnival, immersive experiences at scenic spots and attractions will be fully upgraded — from scholarly gatherings at academies and nighttime cruises with lantern views. These diverse scenarios will unlock new ways to celebrate Lantern Festival.

Immersive experiences such as fish-shaped lantern parades, Nanyin music performances, and robot flash mobs will be offered at Jinsha Academy. Meanwhile, Susong Academy will create an elegant and festive atmosphere with Lantern Festival tea gatherings and traditional Chinese culture reading sessions.

Out on the water, the "Meet U · Xiamen Sea Tour" features a floating lantern parade, riddle games, and yuanxiao (sweet dumplings made with glutinous rice flour) samples, offering visitors a unique Lantern Festival experience on the Lujiang River.

Source: Xiamen Foreign Affairs