The Lantern Festival, also called the Yuanxiao Festival, is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar calendar, marking the official end of the Spring Festival. In 2026, it falls on March 3, fifteen days after the Lunar New Year. The New Year begins with the first new moon of the year, and the Lantern Festival takes place on the first full moon, symbolizing closure and renewal. People celebrate by hanging lighted lanterns to represent new beginnings, eating tangyuan (or yuanxiao)—sweet, round dumplings that symbolize unity—and enjoying lively fireworks. Learn more about this beautiful festival and how you can celebrate it with your friends here.