Feast of Lanterns

Buddhist holiday

Also known as: Buddha’s birthday

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Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Lantern Festival, also known as the Feast of Lanterns, is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. It marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and signifies the end of Chinese New Year celebrations.12

The festival's origins are linked to ancient Buddhist practices, where monks would light lanterns to honor the Buddha. A legend also tells of a town saved from destruction by fire by lighting lanterns.1

Key traditions include decorating homes with colorful lanterns, often featuring riddles, and enjoying lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. A traditional food eaten during this time is yuanxiao or tangyuan, small glutinous rice balls symbolizing family unity. The holiday promotes reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.1

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Buddhism
Anniversaries
…events of the Buddha’s life—his birth, enlightenment, and entrance into final nirvana (parinibbana)—are commemorated in all Buddhist countries but not everywhere on the same day. In Theravada countries the three events are all observed together on Vesak (also spelled Wesak), the full moon day of the sixth lunar month (Vesakha),…
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…events of the Buddha’s life—his birth, enlightenment, and entrance into final nirvana (parinibbana)—are commemorated in all Buddhist countries but not everywhere on the same day. In Theravada countries the three events are all observed together on Vesak (also spelled Wesak), the full moon day of the sixth lunar month (Vesakha),…
Read More

Korean performing arts
Koryŏ period
…were Buddha’s birthday, or the Feast of Lanterns, in the second lunar month, and the midwinter ceremony honouring spirits of local gods. Dances and masked plays from Silla times were carefully preserved and performed on these occasions in a specially decorated and candlelit ceremonial room. New masked plays memorializing loyal…
Read More
…were Buddha’s birthday, or the Feast of Lanterns, in the second lunar month, and the midwinter ceremony honouring spirits of local gods. Dances and masked plays from Silla times were carefully preserved and performed on these occasions in a specially decorated and candlelit ceremonial room. New masked plays memorializing loyal…
Read More