With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, Chinese lantern-making is far more than decoration. It is a living storytelling art form rooted in symbolism, philosophy, and communal celebration. At the heart of every Tianyu lantern festival is this enduring heritage, brought to life through immersive environments that blend sculpture, painting, engineering, and narrative design into unforgettable cultural experiences.

Unlike modern light installations, every lantern showcased at a Tianyu event is entirely handmade. Skilled artisans begin by constructing steel frameworks by hand, shaping each form with precision. The frames are then wrapped in fabric and meticulously hand-painted, layer by layer, to capture intricate details and vibrant color. Every element carries meaning: dragons symbolize power and prosperity, lotus flowers represent purity, and pandas reflect harmony with nature. These symbols have been passed down through generations, transforming light into a visual language of cultural storytelling.

In 2008, the Zigong Lantern Festival originating from Zigong, Sichuan Province was officially designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, recognizing its irreplaceable cultural value. While modern themes and global influences continue to shape today’s lantern designs, the core techniques remain unchanged. Ancient methods are still used to tell new stories, preserving authenticity while engaging audiences of all ages.

Tradition Meets Innovation on a National Scale

This balance of tradition and innovation defines Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. (Tianyu), the leading producer of North America’s largest lantern festivals. Following a milestone 2025 season, Tianyu celebrated a year of remarkable growth and national reach, illuminating communities from coast to coast.

In 2025 alone, Tianyu welcomed more than 4 million visitors to 44 events across 42 cities nationwide, showcasing handcrafted lantern artistry rooted in Zigong’s centuries-old heritage – earning the region its title as the “World Capital of Lanterns.” From zoos and botanical gardens to city parks and shopping destinations, each exhibition was thoughtfully tailored to reflect local culture, seasonal themes, and community character.

Behind every glowing phoenix, illuminated elf, and towering archway lies an extraordinary process. Teams of artisans sketch, weld, wire, sew, and hand-paint each lantern before transporting them across the globe. Throughout 2025, Tianyu dispatched hundreds of trucks and hundreds of artisans to build full-scale festivals across the United States, transforming public spaces into worlds of light, wonder, and imagination.

“Our 2025 season reflected a growing demand for experiences that bring families and communities together around light, wonder, and cultural beauty,” said Ai Luo, Vice President at Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. “Each lantern festival is a collaboration between the heritage of our artists, the character of each host city, and the joy of the people who attend.”

2025 Highlights Include:

• Number of U.S. festivals produced: 44
• Number of U.S. cities hosted in 2025: 42
• New cities added in 2025: 12. This includes South Bend, Ind. (Potawatomi Zoo), Fort Wayne, Ind. (Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo), Evansville, Ind. (Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden), Baltimore, Md. (Maryland Zoo), Theodore, Ala. (Bellingrath Gardens & Home), Roseville, Calif. (Westfield Galleria at Roseville), Concord, N.C. (Concord Mills), Denver, Colo. (Denver Zoo), Salt Lake City, Utah (Utah’s Hogle Zoo), Omaha, Neb. (Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium), Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Zoo), and Loxahatchee, Fla. (Lion County Safari), tailoring each display to reflect local culture and seasonal themes.
• Total estimated U.S. visitors: 4,000,000
• Largest single lantern or installation by height/length: Tree of Life at 59 feet
• Top-attended festival of the year: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, with 248,602 visitors
• Number of shipping containers used for transport: 243
• Number of Tianyu artists/designers involved in U.S. projects: 498 artisans/20 designers

Each event not only celebrates artistry but also creates a rare opportunity for communities to engage with a culturally significant art form. The presence of Zigong artisans fosters cross-cultural appreciation, allowing visitors to experience centuries of knowledge, patience, and craftsmanship – reflected in every beam of light.