The 2025 Chang'an Lantern Festival will dazzle Xi'an residents and tourists with a vibrant celebration of the Year of the Snake. Meticulously prepared lantern displays promise a rich visual feast in a festive atmosphere.

This year's festival blends tradition with modernity, featuring traditional favorites such as the Xi'an City Wall, Tang Paradise, and Daming Palace Lantern Festivals alongside innovative additions like the Shijingli Lantern Festival and Cultural Carnival, Jinghe Light Sea, and the Bailuyuan Studios Magic Lantern Exhibition.

Lanterns at Tang Paradise. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Release]

The 54-day Tang Paradise Lantern Festival will debut on Jan 22. It will showcase 40 lantern displays across five themed zones, capturing the charm of a traditional Chang'an Lantern Festival night.

The Xi'an City Wall Lantern Festival will also launch on Jan 22. It will feature five themes and 23 large-scale lanterns. Highlights include replicas of 38 museum artifacts presented as lantern displays.

The Daming Palace Lantern Festival, which opens the same evening, incorporates "palatial aesthetics" in five themed areas and features 13 grand lantern installations.

A rendering of the Daming Palace Lantern Festival. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Release]

Meanwhile, the Shijingli Lantern Festival and Cultural Carnival has already begun, lighting up at 5:30 pm daily. It features exquisite Zigong-style lanterns and immersive experiences across four themes, celebrating traditional culture.

The Shijingli Lantern Festival and Cultural Carnival attracts many visitors. [Photo/WeChat account of Xi'an Release]

The Jinghe Light Sea, set to open on Jan 17, will transform a 10-hectare area into a fairytale world with over 20 artistic light sculptures.

The Bailuyuan Studios Magic Lantern Exhibition, debuting on Jan 14, will bring White Deer Plain characters to life with intricate lantern sculptures inspired by the novel, enriching the festival's unique allure.