City rings in Lantern Festival with colorful celebrations

Video by Lin Songtao

Shenzhen’s Lantern Festival celebrations lit up the city with vibrant cultural events across various districts yesterday.

A major highlight was the intangible cultural heritage parade, which kicked off at Lianhua Yicun Square in Futian. Dazzling traditional performances such as the Yingge Dance led festive crowds from the square through the bustling commercial district of UpperHills.

Elsewhere, Bao’an featured local Yingge Dance performances at the Daqianli Mall, while the Wanfu Plaza in Fuyong hosted lively lantern and dragon lion celebrations. Cultural showcases like traditional paper-cutting and folk music further enriched the festivities across various venues, including Wanshan Plaza at Shuibei, the Guangming District Cultural Center, and Dapeng’s Jiaochangwei area.

Follow Shenzhen Daily reporters Liu Xudong, Lin Songtao and Cao Zhen for a look into the vibrant celebrations. 

Locals enjoy a playful intangible cultural heritage parade at Lianhua Yicun Square and UpperHills in Futian during a Lantern Festival celebration yesterday. Photos by Liu Xudong except otherwise stated

Spectators watch a Huohu (fire pot) performance outside the INJOY shopping mall in Futian District last night, the Lantern Festival which marks the end of Spring Festival. Over time, this tradition has evolved into the dazzling fire pot performances seen today. In the captivating fusion of flame manipulation and artistry, performers, dressed in fireproof suits, shake glowing red-hot charcoal inside iron nets, creating a breathtaking display of “blossoming sparks” that symbolize the desire to ward off evil and ensure peace for the community. Photos by Lin Songtao

Spectators watch a Huohu (fire pot) performance outside the INJOY shopping mall in Futian District yesterday.

Visitors enjoy an intangible cultural heritage activity to celebrate Lantern Festival yesterday.

People pose photos at a lantern appreciating activity yesterday. 

A performer dressed as the God of Wealth greets the audience during a lion dance show at the Shenzhen Museum’s History and Folk Culture Division in Futian District yesterday. The performance, presented by a troupe from Guangzhou, was part of the museum’s celebrations for the Lantern Festival. Photos by Cao Zhen

Lion dance performances celebrate the Lantern Festival.