A colorful lantern sculpture of a galloping horse lights up Xiangmi Park, welcoming the upcoming Year of the Horse. Photos from WeChat account "幸福福田"

The lights are on again in Futian.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, Xiangmi Park in Futian has been transformed into a glowing wonderland for the 2026 Spring Festival Lantern Festival, running from Feb. 10 to March 3. 

This year’s event brings together six large-scale lantern installations crafted using the renowned Zigong lantern-making technique from Sichuan Province — a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage known for its intricate details and brilliant colors. Together, they create an immersive nightscape of shimmering light and festive charm.

For the best experience, visitors are encouraged to enter the park after 7 p.m., when the sky darkens and the lanterns come fully to life.

A walk through light and blessings

Starting from the west gate, a thoughtfully designed route guides visitors through the six themed installations:

1. “Fortune Family”

Just inside the entrance, Futian’s beloved mascots — a macaque, a black-faced spoonbill and a fiddler crab — welcome visitors with cheerful New Year wishes. The playful display sets a joyful tone for the evening.

2. “Crimson Dream Corridor”

Flower-shaped and fish-shaped lanterns light up a graceful bridge, casting soft pink reflections and creating a romantic atmosphere that blends naturally with the park’s quiet scenery.

3. “Lotus Pond Reverie”

Along the waterfront, lotus blossoms and swimming fish glow gently above the lake. Their reflections ripple across the water, offering a poetic scene that feels almost like stepping into a painting.

4. “Galloping into the Galaxy”

Inspired by the upcoming Year of the Horse in 2026, this dynamic display features galloping horses beneath a star-filled sky. The imagery symbolizes energy, success and bright prospects for the year ahead.

5. “Star Wishes”

A whimsical installation shows starlight flowing from a glowing vessel, inviting visitors to pause, make a wish and mark the new year with a small but meaningful ritual.

6. “Gate of Prosperity”

The final stop is a grand lantern archway symbolizing abundance and good fortune. Walking through it has quickly become a must-do moment for many visitors welcoming the new year.

More festive cheer nearby

The celebration doesn’t stop with the lanterns.

From Feb. 10 to Feb. 16, the Shenzhen Spring Festival Flower Market at Four Seasons Flower Valley will be in full swing nearby, offering flowers, greenery and traditional snacks. The combination of lantern fair and flower market creates a lively and immersive holiday atmosphere.

Throughout the holiday season, Xiangmi Park will also host themed activities under the banner “Sweet Blessings for the New Year,” including lion dances, intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences, Chinese-style pop-up performances and open-air concerts between the first and 11th days of the Lunar New Year.

Performers stage a traditional lion dance to open the Spring Festival celebrations at Xiangmi Park.