The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival is a traditional event in Shanghai Songjiang area. It usually takes place from the first to the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, with the thirteenth day marking the start of the lighting period and the eighteenth day its conclusion. During this time, activities include lantern launching, lantern gathering, and street parades. Visitors can enjoy an immersive experience by walking alongside the lantern procession to view the lanterns, offer blessings, and participate in interactive activities. In 2011, the Lantern Festival (Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival) was approved and added to the List of the Third Batch of Representative Items of National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival Photo by Tuchong Creative

By 2025, the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival has been successfully held 30 times. Today, the festival explores themes like the Chinese zodiac and mythology, continuously blending modern creativity and technology, such as AR interaction and livestreaming, to breathe new life into traditional lantern art. The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival has gradually become a flagship cultural event in Shanghai and a major tourist attraction drawing visitors from across China and abroad.

Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival  Photo by Tuchong Creative

Recommended places to visit

The Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival in Shanghai takes place in Yuyuan Garden Mall and the surrounding areas. The central plaza, the Nine-Turn Bridge, and Yuyuan Old Street are among the themed spots connected to create an immersive lantern-viewing experience.

Tickets: Ticket prices vary each year. Please refer to official platforms such as the "Meet in Shanghai" WeChat account of the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism.

Location and transportation: Yuyuan Garden Mall and surrounding areas; Metro Lines 10 and 14, Yuyuan Garden Station.