Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb 12 this year, serves as the grand finale to China's Spring Festival celebrations. The festival revolves around the lighting of lanterns, with other traditions including solving lantern riddles, visiting temple fairs, gazing at the moon, and eating glutinous rice balls.

Here is a list of enchanting lantern fairs in Shanghai.

Yuyuan Garden Lantern Fair

The 2025 Yuyuan Garden Lantern Fair revolves around the tagline "All Things Beautiful, All Beings Wonderful". It combines elements from Chinese mythology that date back over 2,000 years, as well as the popular mobile game League of Legends: Wild Rift to create lanterns that showcase traditional art in innovative ways.

Duration: Through Feb 12

Venue: Yuyuan Garden Malls

Location: No 265 Middle Fangbang Road, Huangpu district

Nanxiang Ancient Town Lantern Fair

In Nanxiang Ancient Town this year, lively snake-shaped lanterns symbolize a prosperous Chinese New Year, while lanterns at the entrance of Jiefang Street feature cascading koi fish.

Duration: Through Feb 16

Venue: Nanxiang Ancient Town

Location: No 206 Jiefang Street, Jiading district

Xinzhuang Lantern Fair

As night falls, streets and alleys in Xinzhuang town, Minhang district glow with colorful lights and snake-themed lanterns, offering visitors a stunning visual feast.

Duration: Through Feb 12

Venues include Xincheng Central Park and Skymall in Minhang district.

The INLET Lantern Fair

The lanterns at The INLET, a lifestyle hub in Hongkou district, are inspired by a fusion of Eastern and Western mythologies. This space exudes a festive atmosphere, inviting visitors to partake in activities such as penning couplets, creating intricate lanterns, and reveling in the charm of fish-shaped lanterns.

Duration: Through the end of February

Venue: The INLET

Location: Intersection of North Sichuan Road and Wujin Road, Hongkou district

Panlong Tiandi Lantern Fair

Panlong Tiandi combines traditional lantern-making techniques to create a Jiangnan-style lantern festival featuring a massive water serpent lantern amid the waterways. This grand serpent lantern meanders through ancient bridges and streets, complemented by dragon dances and bonfire events and evoking the festive spirit of Spring Festival in Jiangnan, the region south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Duration: Through February

Venue: Panlong Tiandi

Location: No 8 Lane 123 Panding Road, Qingpu district

Luodian Lantern Fair

As night falls, Meilan West Lake Park lights up with a variety of colorful lanterns. The display includes fish swimming among lotus flowers and the Luodian dragon boat lantern, embodying the ancient town's rich history.

Duration: Through Feb 12

Venue: Meilan West Lake Park

Location: No 750 Meilanhu Road, Baoshan district

Qingxi Old Street Lantern Fair

Qingxi Old Street is adorned with over a hundred Chinese palace lanterns, filling the area with a dazzling, festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, five special Chinese New Year-themed installations have been set up at locations such as People's Road Square and Wanghailou Tower, spicing things up for visitors as they enjoy the lantern displays.

Duration: Through Feb 14

Venue: Qingxi Old Street

Location: No 2765 Nanfeng Highway, Fengxian district

Fengjing Ancient Town Lantern Fair

As night falls, various lights illuminate Fengjing Ancient Town, breathing new life into this quiet town. Don't miss out on the flower-adorned serpent lantern in the square.

Duration: Through Feb 12

Venue: Fengjing Ancient Town

Location: No 28, Lane 8588, Tingfeng Highway, Jinshan district

 

Sources: WeChat account of Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, WeChat account of Shanghai Bendibao, WeChat account of Fengxian district administration of culture and tourism, WeChat account of Jinshan district administration of culture and tourism