On the 15th day of the first lunar month, two weeks after Chinese New Year, another important traditional Chinese festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节), is celebrated. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and the end of the Spring Festival period. Chinese Lantern Festival 2026 is celebrated on March 3rd in 2026.
1. Eating Tangyuan (Yuanxiao)
Eating tangyuan is an important custom of the Lantern Festival. Tangyuan (汤圆 tāngyuán /tung-ywen/ ‘soup round’), also called yuanxiao in the north, are balls of glutinous rice boiled in a sweet soup. As tangyuan is pronounced similarly to tuanyuan (团圆 /twan-ywen/ ‘group round’), which means ‘reunion’ and ‘completeness’, Chinese people believe that the round shape of the balls and bowls symbolize wholeness and togetherness.
2. Enjoy the Lantern Show
Lighting lanterns symbolize “illuminating the future”. It is a way for people to pray that they will have smooth futures and to express their best wishes for their families. During the Lantern Festival, many big lantern fairs are held in China, such as Qinhuai International Lantern Festival in Nanjing and Shanghai Yuyuan Lantern Festival. The lanterns’ artwork vividly illustrates traditional Chinese imagery and symbols, such as fruits, flowers, birds, animals, people, and buildings.
3. Guess Lantern Riddles
Guessing (solving) lantern riddles started in the Song Dynasty (960–1279), and it is one of the most important and popular activities of the Lantern Festival. Lantern owners write riddles on paper notes and paste them on the colorful lanterns. People crowd round to guess the riddles. This tradition brings families and friends together, sparks creativity, and adds excitement to the festival.
Wish everyone a year of happiness, unity, and good fortune!
Post time: Mar-03-2026