The Auckland Lantern Festival took place this weekend, 26 February to 1 March, from 5pm to 10.30pm, each night in Albert Park.

Traditionally the lantern festival is held at the end of the 15 day observation of the Chinese New Year, but this year the lantern festival was held early.

There were over 800 handmade Chinese lanterns throughout Albert Park as the festival now its 16th year celebrated the ‘Year of the Goat’.

As well as the lanterns, Princes Street was lined with Asian craft and food stalls. There were two performance areas. On the main stage there was music, theatre and dance performances. The second area was a martial arts demonstration area with martial arts from China, Japan and Korea.

Shangwen Martial Arts Academy

Guangdong Puppet Art Theatre