Folk Performances for the Lantern Festival
February 11, Wuhan, Hubei Province: Performers present the fire dragon dance, part of the national intangible cultural heritage, to celebrate the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month. In 2017, that day fell on February 11.
China is a vast country with a long history and diverse cultures, so Lantern Festival customs and activities vary regionally, including lantern shows, appreciation of the bright full moon, fireworks, guessing lantern riddles, eating tangyuan (glutinous rice dumplings in sweet soup), lion dances, dragon dances, and walking on stilts.
Traditionally, the Lantern Festival marks the final day of the Spring Festival celebrations. After it, Chinese New Year taboos are no longer in effect and New Year decorations are taken down.