March 6, 2015 by Lisa Dorenfest ~ One Ocean At A Time

Auckland Lantern Festival

When The Captain asked me if I wanted to go the Auckland Lantern Festival, my first thought was ‘really, Lanterns, that sounds kind of boring’…..

…but our friends Bev and Robbie from S/V Mersoleil had raved about it, and they were going, so I decided to attend.

I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The event fed my on-going addiction to color including plenty of orange to make me glad.

And ignorant me, I learned that Lantern Festivals are a really big deal!

Part of the Chinese New Year celebrations since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-221 AD) …..

…..Lantern Festivals are usually held on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar which marks the end of New Year festivities.

The Lantern Festival is also popularly referred to as the Chinese Valentine’s Day…..

….because in days of old it gave girls and boys a rare chance to go out in the evening without chaperones.”

The Auckland Festival has been running for 16 years and is held in Albert Park.

On the evening we attended, the Park was jam packed with celebrants.

In addition to the extensive display of beautiful lanterns (I have only shared a small percentage of them here)….

…..the Festival offered a multitude of entertainment for all ages…

and some of the yummiest, most affordable food that we have found in New Zealand.

All for the entry price of $0.

So if you are visiting Auckland at the conclusion of the Chinese New Year….

….check out the Lantern Festival.

You will be glad that you did.

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Lisa Dorenfest ~ One Ocean At A Time

I am a circumnavigating sailor and visual storyteller. My travels have taken me across 360 degrees of longitude to 72 countries. I completed my first sailing circumnavigation on November 2019 aboard SY Amandla and am currently wandering ashore.

49 comments

these are great!

You are lovely to say so! Thank you so much. It was truly a magnificent festival!

Lantern festivals are always beautiful, a fest for photographers. Unfortunately, we don’t have it at my place (MidWestGermany).

Well I was lucky to happen upon one in Auckland 🙂 You are right, a Lantern Festival is truly a delight for photographers! I am looking forward to seeing more festivals when I sail Asia. Still, you seem to have a lot of beauty to photograph in Germany albeit without a Lantern Festival 🙂

Stunning Photos…

Thank you so much Nurul! Lovely to meet you.

These are great! and the lanterns are awesome! There is a multi-cultural festival on here in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, today which I hope to get to. Will be great for photos if the promised rain does not spoil it.

Thank you so much Brenda! I just looked up the multi-cultural festival in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay and so wish I could be there to attend. It looks like an amazing time with a diverse selection of yummy food.

We didn’t get to go unfortunately. The weather here was just awful yesterday. Extremely windy.

Same story in Gulf Harbor. Gusting to 35 knots in the anchorage. Rain, sun, rain, sun, rain, sun.

These photos were great!! I have never been to a later festival so I’m glad you selected these photos!

Thank you for having a look Sandy and for your lovely compliment!

Looks like a wonderful time, Lisa!

It was Britta! Always great to hear from you!

Great Story & pictures! Keep it up.

You are lovely to say so Duncan! Thank you as always for your support!

Your photos are so vibrant and beautiful. What a wonderful day that must have been. Thank you for sharing some of Auckland.

Thank you Patty!

You’re welcome.

Hi Lisa
My hubby just told me you called yesterday to let us know about the problem with my photography blog. Thank you so much. We’ve got Hostgater looking into it now.
He was upset at himself because he didn’t think to get your phone number so I could call you back. If you ever get to Napier in your sailing around New Zealand, please call again. I’d love to meet up with you for coffee or a drink! 🙂
All the best….Brenda

You are very welcome Brenda! Let me know when Hostgater gets it sorted as I am looking forward to seeing your photography. I will definitely give you a shout if I get down to Napier way. I hear it is lovely and I would truly love to visit if our schedules permit.

Wow, those lanterns are amazing. Who knew lantern’s could be so artistic. That looks like an amazing festival!

Thanks for stopping by Kirsten. The lanterns really were works of art, a very unexpected treat!

Wonderful photos! What a fun celebration! 🙂

Thank you for your compliment! It was very much fun!

Awesome photo essay!

Thank you so much!

It looks brilliant, Lisa 🙂 Who wouldn’t love the rabbits? And that hatching egg is amazing.

🙂 The Dinosaur Egg was my favorite lantern of the festival. Really, an unexpected work of art.

Lisa, you must have been in photography heaven. Amazing pictures.
I have never heard of the lantern festival before so thank you for bringing it to me in your wonderful photos and explanation. The work that has gone into some of those lanterns is amazing and for it to be free with some beautiful street food. I am sure it is a day you will never forget.

You always know how to put a smile on my face Mark. First through your very entertaining blog posts and now with your lovely compliments. I am glad to know that I was not the only one who was unaware of lantern festivals :-). I hope the weather improves soon in the Med. Looking forward to continue to follow your adventures!

Thank you for posting these wonderful shots. You captured some brilliant photo eye candy there. You’ve got to be amazed you did go to this festival.

Thank you for your kindness! It was wonderful to be surrounded by so much beautiful art – definitely ‘photo eye-candy’ 🙂

What amazing lanterns Lisa they are all so imaginative! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos 🙂

They truly were beautiful to see Rosemary! A pleasant and unexpected surprise.

Very, very cool. I think that the unexpected finds as you travel are by far the best. I was in Thailand for a short vacation after business, and it was the holiday of Loi Krathong. We were invited to make krathongs that you float on the ocean in the full moon. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen and I promised myself that, if I ever return to Thailand, it will be on loi krathong. So good for you for absorbing the local culture and seeing what they’re proud of and what they celebrate. We Americans have no idea of the beauty and culture we’re missing.

Great to hear from you Marjorie! And I totally agree with you on ‘the unexpected is by far the best’. I had not heard of the Loi Krathong holiday so googled images. I can not wait to see that when I sail to Thailand in a year or two! AMAZING. Maybe we will be there at the same time 🙂 Now that would be cool.