Why you have to go to Paris’ magical “Lantern and Dragon Festival” at the Jardin d’Acclimatation - open until 25 February 2024.

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! 

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!

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. 

• 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