Each winter, Queens hosts the largest lantern festival in North America. Visitors gather to enjoy illuminated displays, interactive games, arts and crafts showcases, a festive market, and live performances on the baseball stadium grounds. Discover more about this unforgettable event at queenski.com.
Traditional Chinese Art
The festival celebrates the art of lantern-making, a craft that originated in China. Lantern festivals began there and later spread to other parts of the world. In China, there is even a Lantern Festival, steeped in tradition and legends. One story tells of Emperor Wen-di of the Western Han Dynasty, who ordered festive red lanterns to be hung everywhere to celebrate his ascension. Since then, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, people in China take to the streets for a colorful display of lanterns.
These festive lanterns are made from fine paper and often decorated with mountains, rivers, homes, people, animals, and flowers. The most famous style in China is the “zoumadeng,” or moving-horse lantern, where a rotating wheel casts moving shadows when lit by a candle inside. Lanterns in China symbolize prosperity, success, and good fortune, and lantern shows traditionally close out two weeks of Chinese New Year celebrations.
A Magical Spectacle
The Hello Panda Festival showcases lanterns in the form of animals like pandas, seahorses, and peacocks, along with Christmas-themed lanterns depicting Santa on a train or festive Christmas trees. All lanterns are lit with eco-friendly, energy-efficient LED lights.
Beyond lantern displays, the festival includes mesmerizing light shows and holiday markets filled with food, cultural exhibitions, and arts events designed to inspire imagination and excitement.
Guests can also experience a unique “silent disco.” Wearing headphones, attendees can adjust the music volume and switch between DJs with a single click. Each headset has a colored LED light that shows which DJ the listener is tuned to, allowing visitors to dance together with those enjoying the same tracks. This setup provides a music experience for enthusiasts without disturbing those who prefer a quieter environment.
The Venue
The event takes place outdoors at Citi Field, a baseball stadium that has been the home of the New York Mets since 2009 and a popular gathering spot for sports fans. Unique among Major League Baseball fields, Citi Field features orange foul poles rather than the standard yellow.
The main entrance is adorned with the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, named in honor of the baseball legend. Near this rotunda is the iconic Home Run Apple, which bears the New York Mets logo. Originally installed on the field, this apple would rise when a player hit a home run. The Mets Hall of Fame & Museum is also located nearby. In 2022, a statue of Tom Seaver, a celebrated Mets pitcher, was added to the stadium’s entrance.
Despite the winter weather, the Hello Panda Festival organizers ensure a comfortable experience for visitors by setting up large heated tents. Inside these tents, guests can warm up, enjoy refreshments, and relax between exploring the illuminated displays.