Attend a Traditional Chinese Lantern Festival

Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. specializes in Chinese lantern festivals, a perfect family travel attraction. The producer hosts more than 60 festivals in 32 cities across the country at venues such as zoos, parks and botanical gardens. Since 2015, more than 4.5 million visitors experienced the family-friendly festival. Tianyu is the largest lantern festival producer in North America. This year, Tianyu will host more than a dozen festivals in cities including Reno, Nevada; Palm Desert, California; and Louisville, Kentucky.

The lantern festivals offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in authentic Chinese culture. Festivals include live performances, martial arts and acrobatic demonstrations, traditional cuisine, handicrafts and Chinese hand painting. Tianyu’s festivals incorporate various themes and celebrations from holiday light shows to summer floral displays.

© Bobbi Sheridan

The custom lanterns are designed to withstand different weather conditions, allowing the festivals to take place throughout the year. Artisans build the lanterns using traditional materials including wire, metal, silk and wood, and incorporate modern elements like innovative lighting and animation. Some displays offer interactive elements. One display featured a pufferfish lantern that filled with air when the visitor stepped on a pedal.

Festivals last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Check the website for upcoming events, as well as examples of past displays.