Lalitpur Glows with Chinese New Year Lantern Festival

Lalitpur – The Chinese New Year Lantern Festival 2026 is being celebrated at the historic Patan Museum, bringing a vibrant blend of light, culture, and tradition to the heart of the city.

Chinese communities will begin welcoming the New Year of the Horse starting Tuesday, with celebrations, traditional rituals, and cultural events marking the arrival of the new year.

The festival is jointly organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal and Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and co-organised by the Nepal Overseas Chinese Association and the China Cultural Center in Nepal.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha as chief guest, alongside Chinese Ambassador to Nepal  Zhang Maoming  and Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Chiri Babu Maharjan

Held under the theme “Snow-Capped Peaks Aglow with Hues, Festive Lanterns Bring Auspicious Blessings,” the festival aims to celebrate the Lunar New Year while highlighting the longstanding cultural ties between Nepal and China.

Cultural performances were also held during the event, featuring traditional music and dance that showcased the rich heritage of both China and Nepal, adding colour and vibrancy to the celebrations. 

 The exhibition features traditional Chinese lantern art symbolising joy, hope, and prosperity associated with the New Year. Organisers have invited the public to attend the event and experience Chinese cultural traditions in Lalitpur, stating that the festival seeks to promote people-to-people exchanges and deepen cultural understanding between the two countries.

According to the organisers, the lantern exhibition will open to the public from February 18 to March 3, 2026, following the inauguration ceremony. Entry to the exhibition is free.