#China #Xi'an #Spring Festival #Xi'an Culture #Chang'an Lantern

Chang'an Lantern Festival 2026 Kicks Off in Xi'an

Recently, the historic city of Xi'an hosted the opening ceremony of the Chang'an Lantern Festival 2026. With the enchanting theme of “Thousands of Lanterns Shining in Chang'an Welcoming Spring with Galloping Horses,” the event promises to be a magnificent spectacle combining both ancient heritage and modern displays of light.

Traditionally, this festival marks the beginning of the Spring Festival and has now been advanced this year to present an extraordinary lantern display over the next 96 days, encompassing the New Year celebrations, the Spring Festival, and the Lantern Festival. This iteration of the festival seeks to recreate the vibrant nightlife reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty, characterized by “radiant nights filled with blooming light, a city aglow with fiery trees and silver flowers.”

Festival Highlights

For 2026, the Chang'an Lantern Festival features two main venues: the Da Tang Furong Garden, also known as the Tang Paradise, and the ancient Xi'an City Wall. This year’s festival brings together narratives that intertwine both land and water with spectacular lighting.

The festival revolves around three core themes: “Revitalized National Treasures,” “The Poetic Charm of Chang'an,” and “Galloping Zodiac Horse.” At the Xi'an City Wall, the blending of cultural relics, poetry, and zodiac traditions creates a dazzling tapestry of illumination.

Over 50 national treasures from prominent museums have been digitally and artisanally reimagined, extending beyond museum walls and bringing history alive on the ancient city wall. During the Spring Festival, a market titled “Hundred Alleys, Thousand Poems” will take place at the Yongning Gate, showcasing Xi’an’s cultural allure as the “Capital of Tang Poetry.” This event ensures that poetry transcends both time and space.

The festivities at Da Tang Furong Garden will continue until April 6, featuring 39 themes of lanterns that reconstruct over 300 classic Tang poems into immersive light and shadow scrolls, encouraging visitors to walk through these poetic expressions. In addition, more than 30 traditional crafts, including Suzhou embroidery, bamboo weaving, and traditional opera facial makeup, are cleverly integrated into the lantern designs.

During daylight hours, international visitors can engage in traditional Chinese games like pitch-pot (touhu) and bowling, alongside live performances of classic operas. The evening comes alive with spectacular fire pot displays, laser light shows, fountain performances, and interactive experiences.

International Expansion

Over the past two years, the Chang'an Lantern Festival has transcended borders, collaborating with cultural events across Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The festival has also reached audiences overseas in the United States, Singapore, and Malaysia, sharing the unique romance of Chinese tradition.

As it opens its doors to enthusiasts from around the globe, the Chang'an Lantern Festival stands as a testament to Xi’an's rich cultural tapestry and offers a spectacular embrace of spring, light, and heritage that no visitor should miss.