The 2026 Luzhou New Year Lantern Fair, currently illuminating Xiaoyaojin Park in Hefei, has become a focal point for cultural enthusiasts and travelers exploring Anhui Province. Running through March 4, this year's event merges centuries-old lantern craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital projections, creating immersive environments that reinterpret zodiac symbolism ahead of the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Visitors can explore over 50 installations ranging from traditional silk-and-bamboo horse motifs to interactive LED landscapes. Nightly programming features molten iron firework displays – a 500-year-old regional tradition – alongside contemporary dance performances interpreting lunar calendar themes through modern choreography.
Local artisans report increased international interest in lantern-making techniques, with workshops demonstrating the process from steel frame construction to layered silk application. Tourism officials note the fair's timing during the mild winter season makes it particularly accessible for overseas visitors planning early-year Asian itineraries.
