The Lantern Festival is a traditional festival in China with a history of more than 2,000 years.

　　If the Lunar New Year is a grand folk drama in which the entire nation participates, then the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the first lunar month, is the grand finale of this spectacle. Folklore experts say that the Lantern Festival, as a traditional festival, has been passed down in my country for over 2,000 years.

　　Professor Wang Laihua of the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences explained that the 15th day of the first lunar month is the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, also known as the "Festival of Lights." Legend has it that the Lantern Festival dates back over 2,000 years to the Western Han Dynasty. The first month of the lunar calendar is the first month, and the ancients called the night "xiao." Since the 15th day of the first lunar month is the first full moon night of the year, it is called the "Lantern Festival." As the saying goes, "The first full moon of the year," the Lantern Festival is also known as "Yuanxiao" or "Yuanye."

　　In ancient times, people also called the Lantern Festival the "Shangyuan Festival." According to Chinese folk tradition, on this festive night, marking the beginning of the new year and the return of spring, the moon hangs high in the sky, and thousands of colorful lanterns are lit below. People watch the lanterns, guess lantern riddles, eat Yuanxiao dumplings, and gather with families in a joyful atmosphere.

　　While New Year's Eve and the first day of the Lunar New Year are traditionally celebrated as a family affair, the Lantern Festival is different. It emphasizes going out and enjoying the festival together. It is the only folk festival centered around joy and excitement, hence the saying "Celebrate the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month." The lively and unrestrained "noisiness" is everywhere, as evidenced by the sayings "celebrate the lanterns," "celebrate the community fires," and "celebrate the Lantern Festival."

　　Folklore experts say that with the start of the "Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month," New Year celebrations reach their climax. This is the most lively time of the year. Cities and villages are decorated with lanterns all night long, ablaze with color. Men, women, young and old, in elaborate costumes, admire the lanterns and visit the scenic spots. Some say the Lantern Festival is a Chinese carnival, and there's some truth to that.