Chinese Lantern Festival In Philly's Franklin Square Extended

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia's annual Chinese Lantern Festival has been extended through the month's end, according to organizers.

Historic Philadelphia Inc. announced the popular festival will run through Saturday, Aug. 31 now. Located in Franklin Square, the two-week extension will allow guests who have been impacted by the summer’s weather to still enjoy the spectacular festival of light and culture, organizers said.

The year of the dragon has been featured this summer during the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square with steel-framed and silk-wrapped giant lighted artistic sculptures.

The popular 200-foot-long dragon returned this year, along with a never-before-seen array of over 1,200 individual creations assembled into nearly 40 displays for guests to walk among and enjoy.

In addition to the light installations, visitors are enjoying live cultural stage performances, seeing the choreographed fountain light show in the historic Rendell Family Fountain, tasting expanded food and drink options including Asian cuisine and American comfort food, drinking a toast at the Lotus Cocktail Garden, and shopping for Chinese folk artists’ crafts created on site.

Guests can also play Philly Mini Golf and ride the Parx Liberty Carousel at a discounted rate.

A portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits Historic Philadelphia, Inc. for the programming and care of this important public space and its many year-round free events.

The Festival illuminates Franklin Square nightly at Sixth and Race streets, weather permitting.

During the Festival, Franklin Square is open and free during regular daytime hours.

The Franklin Square Playground is fully open and free both daytime and during the evening hours, accessible only from Seventh Street.

Lanterns are viewable for free during daytime with a free scavenger hunt, while a ticket is required for nighttime entrance after 6 p.m.

The park closes daily at 5 p.m. to prepare for the nightly festival.

Advance tickets are strongly recommended. Get tickets online here.