The Chinese Lantern and Dragon Festival is an occasion to celebrate the Chinese New Year whilst showing off this extremely delicate and detailed artistic craft. This specific festival displays lanterns imitating animals inspired by the classic Chinese literary folklore story, the “Book of Mountains and Seas” which dates back to nearly 2,000 years! This classical text follows more than 550 descriptions of mountains and 300 channels in addition to its mythical creatures, many of which have been re-transcribed in Chinese texts to this day. While there are numerous decorations to be made for this book, we feel like the festival has done a stellar job: with over 1000 beautiful lanterns displayed, the course of this walk can take up to an hour and a half to complete!
Imported from Shanghai’s Yuyuan Garden, this is the first year that the Lantern and Dragon Festival is introduced in Europe. Located in the spacious 16th arrondissement of Paris, this memorable event will gather friends and family alike on a magical adventure and spectacular ambiance! With more than 1000 lanterns, you’ll be blown away by the beauty of this Chinese artcraft.
A grandiose animal lantern at the Lantern and Drago Festival.
- © Dmytro Stoliarenko / Shutterstock
What is the Lantern and Dragon Festival
But why has France been chosen to display this festival for the first time in Europe, you may ask? Well, this year marks the 60th Franco-Chinese diplomatic relationship, a somewhat natural segway to celebrate the first year for Franco-Chinese cultural tourism in 2024!
What to see at the Lantern and Dragon Festival
The Lantern and Dragon Festival is held from the 15th of December 2023 to the 25th of February 2024 from 6 PM to 10 PM (last entry at 9:15 PM) at Paris’ wonderful “Jardin d’Acclimatation” located in the 16th arrondissement. Spacious and natural, this area is the perfect place to host such a grandiose event.
In addition to the festive lights and animal lanterns, this evening also offers Chinese craft workshops, professional folk dancing and singing spectacles, martial arts demonstrations as well as Asian food stands! What better way can you fuse the French and Chinese cultures?
To book your tickets, click here.
How to get there
- Metro: M1 metro to the “Porte de Sablons” stop or the RER C to “Station Neuilly Porte Maillot” / “Avenue Foch” via the “Sablons” exit.
- Bus: 43, 63, 73, 82, 93, PC1
Our favourite hotel near the festival
Paris
citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées
A lovely hotel located by Paris' world famous Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.
