West Palm Beach Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival: Celebrating the Year of the Snake

February 15, 2025 
12 – 3 p.m. 
CityZen Garden – 400 Datura Street 

Join us for the 2025 Lantern Festival, a vibrant celebration of Asian culture and community as we welcome the Year of the Snake! Founded by local college student Lanzhi Wang, this immersive event brings together tradition, art, and celebration for an experience like no other. Marvel at the stunning Community Lantern Display, showcasing beautiful creations crafted by participants in local workshops. Enjoy traditional performances, engage in interactive workshops, and revel in the joyful fusion of art and culture. Perfect for the entire family, the Lantern Festival promises to illuminate your heart and spirit with its rich traditions and dazzling displays.

We Want YOU To Be Part Of The Celebration!

To prepare for the festival, we invite you to participate in our hands-on lantern-making workshops. At these sessions, you’ll have the chance to craft and personalize your own paper lantern with the help of professional artists. All necessary materials are provided, and you’ll learn the cultural significance of lanterns while creating your masterpiece.

Workshop Schedule:

What To Expect At The Workshop

All created lanterns will be displayed at the festival, with an option for artists to pick up their lanterns afterward.     

What To Bring: 

Optional Items:   

• Personal Decorations: Stickers, markers, or any other personal decorative items they might want to use to personalize their lanterns.   

• Additional Craft Supplies: Unique embellishments such as dried flowers or leaves, special colored paper, glitter, or other decorative items.   

• Notebook and Pen: For taking notes on the lantern-making process and instructions. 

What To Expect At The Lantern Festival

• Lantern-Making: Get crafty with our on-site lantern-making activity! Create your very own lantern and take home a piece of the festival magic. 
• Community Lantern Display: Be dazzled by the stunning lanterns crafted by local participants in our community workshops—an enchanting sight you won’t want to miss! 

• Kung Fu Demonstration: Catch the excitement with a live, action-packed demonstration of traditional Kung Fu techniques by Palm Beach Wing Chun Kung Fu that will leave you amazed. 

• Dynamic Dance Performances: Experience the vibrant energy and cultural richness of the West Palm Beach Lantern Festival with two captivating performances! Marvel at the colorful Lion Dance, an ancient tradition brought to life by the talented performers of Palm Beach Wing Chun Kung Fu. Then, immerse yourself in the artistry of Chinese performing arts with a stunning dance showcase by the FL Rising Stars Chinese Performing Arts Troupe, celebrating heritage through graceful and expressive movement.

• Coloring Area: Tap into your creativity and join in on a collaborative art project celebrating the Year of the Snake—perfect for all ages!  
• Block Printing: Discover the elegance of Chinese characters that translate to an auspicious blessing through a hands-on block printing activity presented by Buddha’s Light International Association Miami Chapter. 

• New Year Wishes: Write your New Year’s wishes on traditional Chinese New Year red envelopes to hang on the bamboo trees.

• Asian Cuisine: Treat your taste buds to an array of mouthwatering Asian dishes and snacks that showcase the rich and flavorful culinary heritage of Asia. 

PARKING

Street parking is available. Closest parking garage is located at 333 Evernia St.

This project is made possible through the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority’s Placemaking Mini Grant program for 2024.