Auckland Lantern Festival

Overview

If gazing at luminous, intricately designed creations in the form of beautifully hand-crafted Chinese lanterns sounds like an enjoyable way of spending an evening, mark the Auckland Lantern Festival in your diary for this month. Not only may your eyes set on over 800 glowing creations but inspiring on-stage performances, a lineup of stalls selling a variety of delicious international foods as well as crafts, lantern making demonstrations and a grand finale fireworks display.

The event, perfect for a social engagement between friends, family or your special someone, is back this year and it is looking to be one of the best yet. With the event moving from the previously admired space within Albert Park, this year we will see the festival take over the Auckland Domain. As the popularity for the festival continues to grow year after year, NZ Chinese Language Week Trust co-chairman Raymond Huo says of the event, “As it grows bigger it is sensible to move to a bigger venue.”

As preparations are finalised for undoubtedly another spectacular festival this year, 2016 will celebrate the Chinese New Year and welcome the Year of the Monkey. As well as local entertainment, spectators can expect international acts performing at the festival also, including puppeteers from Shanghai Puppet Theatre, a strongman act from Guangzhou Acrobatic Arts Theatre and the Guangdong Philharmonic Choir.