The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival will be held in Franklin Square from June 5-August 16, 2026 at 6th and Race Streets, Philadelphia PA 19106.

Click here to use Google Maps to help plan your trip.

This outdoor event is rain or shine, except for extreme weather conditions. The lanterns are weather-resistant, but we reserve the right to cancel the event if we feel the current or projected weather conditions could pose a risk to Guests. 

Please check current weather conditions prior to your visit and dress appropriately. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

Monday – Thursday: (General Admission – enter anytime after 6 PM)

• Adults (14-64): $28
• Children (3-13): $16 (ages 2 and under are free)
• Seniors (65+) and Active Military (with I.D.):$25

Friday – Sunday (Time Entry Required):

• Adults (14-64): $32
• Children (3-13): $16 (ages 2 and under are free)
• Seniors (65+) and Active Military (with I.D.):$29

We offer group rates for groups of 20 or more. You can contact our group sales department at 215-629-5801 ext. 209 for details. Reservation must be made at least 3 days in advance.

Please Note: We do not accept ACCESS cards for discounted Festival tickets.

Once inside the Festival, you may stay until closing. Exit and re-entry are not permitted.

Tickets are available at the 6th & Race Street entrance, but we strongly encourage you to purchase tickets in advance online or via your smartphone here.

Advance ticket purchase will reduce your time in lines and enhance your Festival experience. 

When purchasing tickets online, please double-check that your email address is entered correctly. This ensures you receive your tickets and allows us to contact you in case of a delay or closure due to weather.

You may also purchase tickets in person at Franklin Square at the ticket window during the day.

Festival admission includes viewing all of the amazing lantern displays, live performances, and the Franklin Square Fountain Show. Once inside the Festival, you may stay as long as you’d like.

Tickets do not include merchandise, food, beverages, or admission to the Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf. Discounted tickets for the Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf are available during the Festival or while purchasing your tickets online.  

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday tickets are timed by the hour for entry. Tickets with an entry time of 7 pm or later may enter 15 minutes prior to the time on your ticket or any time after.

Monday – Thursday tickets will say 6 pm but you may enter at any time after.

Once inside the Festival, you may stay as long as you’d like.

The entrance at the corner of 6th & Race Streets is open daily from 6 pm to purchase tickets and to admit those who have pre-purchased tickets. 

For guests who have pre-purchased tickets, the entrance at the corner of 7th & Race Streets is open Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays for admission. 

Bring the printable ticket with the QR code

OR

Show your tickets on your smartphone.

When you arrive at the gate, go to the “have tickets” line, open your email, and click the link to retrieve your e-tickets. Turn your phone’s brightness up and show the ticket with the QR code to be scanned. Do not screen capture your ticket, as it will not work. Once scanned, tickets are void.

While entry is allowed until 10:30 pm, it is recommended to arrive by 9:30 pm, allowing 90 minutes to enjoy the full festival experience.

Please keep in mind:

• There is no re-entry.
• The Cocktail Garden closes at 10 pm.
• The final stage performance is at 10:15 pm.
• The final Fountain Show is at 10:30 pm.
• Food vendors close at 10:30 pm.

Parking

We recommend booking convenient and affordable parking in advance through SpotHero, the nation’s leading parking reservations app.

To reserve your parking spot for The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival, visit the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival SpotHero Parking Page.

Limited three-hour metered parking is available along Race Street between 6th & 7th Streets and on 6th Street between Vine and Race Streets. We do not allow re-entry to feed parking meters.

Franklin Square is accessible to and walkable from:

• SEPTA Regional Rail
  Via Jefferson Station at 11th & Market Streets
• SEPTA Market-Frankford Blue Line
  Via 8th Street or 5th Street stops
• PATCO High Speed Line
  Via Franklin Square Station
• Indego Bikes
  Station on Race & 7th Streets

The Festival is a rain-or-shine event.

Tickets may be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice:

• Weekday tickets may be rescheduled for another Monday through Thursday
• Weekend tickets may be rescheduled for another Friday, Saturday, or Sunday

Requests must include your order number and requested new date/time and should be sent to reschedule@historicphiladelphia.org.

Please do not submit multiple requests or call, as this may delay processing.

The Festival generally remains open in the rain. The lanterns are weather-resistant and can be enjoyed in light rain.

We closely monitor weather conditions, as they can change quickly during the summer months. In the event of severe weather, including lightning within a 20-mile radius of Franklin Square, the Festival may be delayed, paused, or canceled if conditions pose a safety risk to guests and staff. 

We may delay opening, temporarily suspend operations, stop admission during a storm, or fully cancel the event if necessary. 

If the Festival is closed for more than 90 minutes due to weather, guests will be offered the option to reschedule their tickets to a comparable date or receive a refund. 

If inclement weather is forecasted, please check your email, our website, or social media channels for updates. All updates will be sent to the email address used at the time of ticket purchase. 

If you are traveling from a distance, we recommend monitoring the forecast and considering rescheduling your tickets for the best experience. 

Thank you for your understanding. Your safety is our top priority. 

We do not offer refunds for unused tickets unless covered under the weather policy. Please visit  “Can I reschedule my ticket” for options on how to attend another day.

For admission, we accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex, Google Pay and Apple Pay. Please note this transaction will appear on your credit card statement as “HISTORICPHILAD”.  

We do not accept Venmo or Cash App cards. 

SquareBurger, and Folk Artists accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex and Apple Pay. Please note this transaction will appear on your credit card statement as “SquareBurger” or “Tianyu “. 

Venmo and Cash App is NOT accepted. 

The Cocktail Garden accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amex, Google Pay and Apple Pay. These transactions will appear on your credit statement as “SquareBurger”

Cash, Venmo or Cash App is NOT accepted. 

The Festival encompasses the entire park, with surfaces including brick, grass, and concrete.

Wheelchairs are not available for rent onsite.

Restrooms:

The park’s permanent restrooms are all ADA accessible and include changing stations. We also have a family/gender neutral restroom. Unfortunately, the additional restrooms located behind the Cocktail Garden are not ADA accessible.

Attractions:

• The Parx Liberty Carousel is equipped with a wheelchair ramp to accommodate Guests traveling by wheelchair. Guests can transfer out of their wheelchair or ride with their wheelchair if needed.  
• Philly Mini Golf offers ADA putters 

Art-Reach Access Cards do not provide patrons with discounted entry into the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival. The Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf are part of the Access program, however a ticket to the Festival is required during Festival hours.

Yes, Franklin Square welcomes leashed dogs. Please be aware that the Festival attracts large crowds; please consider if the Festival is the best experience for your family member.

Franklin Square is a smoke-free park. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises, including the use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vapes, or marijuana.

The following items are prohibited on Franklin Square park grounds during the festival.

• Aerosol cans – with the exception of sun screen, bug spray & hygiene products
• Lawn chairs and folding chairs
• Glass bottles
• Hard-sided or Styrofoam coolers or thermoses
• Knives, weapons or chains
• Spiked clothing or jewelry
• Bags or backpacks larger than 16” x 16” x 8”
• Fireworks and explosives
• Firearms and ammunition
• Chemical weapons, including mace and pepper spray
• Marijuana and other illegal substances 
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones)
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades 

All visitors will be scanned using weapons detection devices prior to entering the Festival. All bags and personal belongings are subject to search prior to entering. Please see our “What items are prohibited” list.

Philadelphia Police officers and Emergency Medical Personnel will be present in addition to Event Security Staff.

The Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival is a private gated event and, as part of its safety protocols, does not permit firearms on the property. This includes those with a permit to carry and includes off-duty and retired law enforcement.    

The Philadelphia Police Department or Pennsylvania State Police working the event is the only exception to this rule.    

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring bottled water and reusable water bottles into the Festival. We have a water bottle filling station as well as a doggie water station at our water fountain to the left of the park restrooms. 

The best way to reach us is our contact page, which is linked HERE. We strive to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible, but please be patient as we may experience a high volume of messages. Rest assured, we will get back to you as soon as we can!

No, outside food is not permitted to be brought into the Festival. We offer a wide variety of food options. Exceptions are made for special dietary, religious observances, and baby needs. 

The playground will remain open and accessible from 7th Street from 6 am to 11 pm. The playground will not be accessible from inside the park during festival days from 5-11pm. 

Franklin Square is open daily. The park grounds and playgrounds open at 6 a.m. The Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf open at 10 a.m. Even though the lanterns look best illuminated at night, guests can view them for free during the day.

The Square closes each day at 5 p.m. for Festival preparation. The park is cleared of guests during this time.

Final ticket sales and entrance to Philly Mini Golf is at 4:15pm to ensure complete gameplay. Final ticket sales and entrance to the Parx Liberty Carousel is 15 minutes prior to closing for the Festival.