9 Lantern Festivals That Light Up the Fall Season
As the days grow shorter and cooler, lantern festivals around the world bring warmth and light to the fall season. These dazzling celebrations, marked by glowing lanterns and vibrant displays, offer a unique way to experience culture and tradition. Whether lighting the night sky or illuminating tranquil rivers, these festivals create unforgettable moments that captivate both locals and visitors.
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Yi Peng Festival, Thailand
The Yi Peng Festival, held annually in Northern Thailand, is one of the most magical lantern festivals in the world. Celebrated in Chiang Mai, thousands of lanterns, known as “khom loi,” are released into the night sky, symbolizing the release of past misfortunes and the hope for a brighter future. This festival takes place in November, coinciding with the full moon, and visitors from around the globe come to witness the breathtaking spectacle. The event is also intertwined with the Thai tradition of paying respect to Buddha and honoring deceased ancestors. The sight of hundreds of glowing lanterns rising into the sky is both serene and awe-inspiring.
Another key element of Yi Peng is the beautifully adorned streets of Chiang Mai. As night falls, the streets come alive with lanterns hanging in every direction. People also participate in other traditions, such as the offering of food and flowers to monks and the release of krathongs (floating candles) on the river. Together, these elements create an unforgettable experience that highlights Thailand’s rich cultural heritage.
Loi Krathong, Thailand
Loi Krathong, which usually takes place at the same time as Yi Peng, is another iconic Thai lantern festival that illuminates the fall season. It is celebrated on the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar, typically in November. During this festival, people release beautifully crafted krathongs, small, decorated floats made from banana leaves, flowers, and candles, into rivers, lakes, or ponds. The floating of the krathongs is a gesture of letting go of negative energy and misfortune, offering a fresh start.
The festival is not only marked by these floating lanterns but also by lanterns released into the sky, especially in northern Thailand. The colorful lights that fill the sky and the rivers make this festival a mesmerizing sight for locals and tourists alike. The combination of traditions, beautiful lantern displays, and the serene night atmosphere makes Loi Krathong an unforgettable event that perfectly highlights the fall season.
Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam
The Hoi An Lantern Festival, celebrated in Vietnam’s ancient town of Hoi An, is a charming event held on the 14th day of each lunar month. This festival, which usually occurs in the fall, is marked by the entire town being lit up by thousands of colorful lanterns, illuminating the streets, waterways, and buildings. Residents and visitors alike participate in the event by lighting their own lanterns, often crafted from silk, and setting them afloat on the peaceful rivers that flow through the town.
Hoi An is known for its well-preserved ancient architecture, and the lanterns’ soft glow reflects beautifully off the historic buildings. The celebration also includes traditional performances, food stalls, and a market where visitors can purchase handcrafted lanterns and other local crafts. The festival creates a magical atmosphere, with the entire town bathed in warm, soft lights, making it one of Vietnam’s most enchanting fall festivals.
Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival, Taiwan
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan is a stunning celebration held in the Pingxi District of New Taipei City. This festival, celebrated during the first full moon of the lunar new year, usually takes place in February, but its influence stretches into the fall as people begin preparing for the spectacle. The main highlight of the festival is the release of sky lanterns, where people write their wishes, prayers, or hopes for the future on large paper lanterns before sending them aloft into the night sky.
The sight of hundreds of lanterns rising simultaneously creates a breathtaking display. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival is deeply rooted in Taiwanese tradition, honoring ancient beliefs in releasing bad luck and seeking good fortune for the coming year. The colorful lanterns lighting up the night sky create a spectacular experience that draws thousands of visitors every year.
Lantern Festival, China
The Lantern Festival in China marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, held on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is a vibrant festival that features stunning displays of lanterns of all shapes and sizes, lighting up public squares, parks, and streets. This festival has been celebrated for over 2,000 years and includes not only lantern displays but also traditional dragon dances, folk performances, and delicious sweet dumplings called tangyuan.
Throughout China, people hang and release lanterns with riddles written on them, and it is customary to guess the riddles to win small prizes. The colorful lanterns symbolize the bringing of light and hope into the new year, and the entire atmosphere is festive and joyful. The Lantern Festival is an unforgettable sight with the whole country glowing with lanterns, making it a perfect event for the fall season.
Hong Kong Lantern Festival, China
In Hong Kong, the Lantern Festival is celebrated with impressive lantern displays that light up the streets, parks, and shopping districts. Known for its elaborate public displays, the Hong Kong Lantern Festival is one of the most extravagant lantern festivals in the world. During this celebration, various lantern designs are displayed, representing themes from Chinese culture, mythology, and nature.
People participate in lantern parades and enjoy the rich cultural performances that accompany the lantern displays. The glow from the lanterns creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, bringing families and visitors together to celebrate the fall season.
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival, South Korea
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival in South Korea is one of the largest and most famous lantern festivals in the country. Held in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, this festival takes place every fall along the Namgang River. It is deeply rooted in Korean history, as it commemorates the victory of Korean forces over Japanese invaders during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Lanterns of all sizes are placed on the river, and the beautiful lights reflect off the water, creating a mesmerizing scene.
During the festival, the streets of Jinju are illuminated with lanterns, and a series of performances, traditional dances, and exhibitions are held. The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Lantern Festival combines history, culture, and stunning visuals, making it an unforgettable event that draws thousands of visitors each fall.
Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, Singapore
In Singapore, the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival is celebrated with grand lantern displays throughout the island. Held during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which occurs in September or October, this event sees Singapore’s Chinatown and other areas illuminated with thousands of lanterns in traditional and modern designs. The festival also features lantern parades, traditional mooncake offerings, and cultural performances.
The bright lanterns symbolize the full moon and the celebration of family unity. Families gather to admire the lantern displays, enjoy mooncakes, and share stories. The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival in Singapore provides a cultural and beautiful way to enjoy the fall season.
Nara Lantern Festival, Japan
The Nara Lantern Festival in Japan is a peaceful and reflective event held every year in Nara Park, where thousands of lanterns light up the park’s beautiful landscape. This festival, which takes place in August, celebrates the Buddhist tradition and offers a serene atmosphere perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility amidst the natural beauty of Nara. The lanterns light up pathways, temples, and shrines, creating a calm and mesmerizing ambiance.
Visitors to the festival often enjoy the combination of cultural performances, historical displays, and spiritual ceremonies. The Nara Lantern Festival draws both locals and tourists, creating a breathtaking experience as the lanterns illuminate the ancient town of Nara, making it a beautiful fall tradition.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.