When it happens
The full moon lantern festival lands on the 14th day of each lunar month, the eve of the full moon. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the Gregorian date moves each month, generally falling somewhere in the middle of the month. Check a lunar calendar against your travel dates so you do not miss it.
What to expect
On the night, the old town closes to traffic and dims its electric lights, leaving only the silk lanterns. The river fills with small floating paper lanterns released by visitors and locals, and the streets are busier and more festive than usual.
How to enjoy it
Arrive before dusk to beat the crowds, buy a floating lantern to release on the river, and consider an evening food tour with a lantern boat from $39 so you see it from the water. For the wider story, read our lantern festival guide.
See it from the water
An evening food tour and lantern boat ride on the festival river.
Preguntas Frecuentes
It falls on the 14th day of every lunar month, the night before the full moon. The exact Gregorian date shifts each month, landing roughly mid-month, so check a lunar calendar against your dates.
The old town goes traffic-free, switches off electric lights and glows with silk lanterns. Locals float paper lanterns on the river, and there is music, food and a noticeably calmer, more atmospheric town.
Walking the festival is free, but the old town heritage ticket still applies for the historic houses. Lantern-boat rides and floating lanterns are bought from vendors on the night.
