Chinese cultural festival Dragon Lights Albuquerque debuts in New Mexico Oct. 5
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - For 2,000 years China has celebrated the New Year with lanterns, and this year New Mexico will help celebrate with 25 of the largest lanterns the state has ever seen.
Dragon Lights Albuquerque, a Chinese cultural festival formerly known as the New Mexico Chinese Lantern Festival, will debut at EXPO New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Drive NE, in Albuquerque on Oct. 5 and run through Dec. 2. Returning to New Mexico in its second year, the festival will feature all new larger-than-life, fully illuminated lanterns, as well as Chinese cultural performances and special handcrafted items, according to a news release.
“We are thrilled to share Chinese customs with New Mexicans and showcase our history and culture,” said Stephanie Zhou, spokesperson for Dragon Lights Albuquerque. “While lantern festivals are generally celebrated on the last day of the lunar calendar, we are bringing this family-friendly experience to EXPO New Mexico.
For eight weeks, New Mexicans do not need a passport to experience the excitement and wonders of China. We encourage the entire community to come out and experience the festival’s exciting activities, compelling performances, and enjoy the beauty and splendor of our lanterns.”
With more than 15,000 LED lights, the event will highlight the U.S. tour debut of “Temple of Heaven,” a three-story tall ancient temple lantern, an enormous 40-foot-long dragon lantern, and 25 oversized Chinese-themed lanterns. The festival will also showcase Chinese dancers and acrobats in two nightly shows and three weekend shows featuring face changing performances, contortion acts and Chinese Yo-Yo presentations.
A team of 25 artisans will assemble the lanterns as each one is hand built specifically for New Mexico by craftsmen from Zigong, China, which is regarded as China’s cultural capital for the ancient art of lantern crafting.
In addition to the lanterns and performances, Dragon Lights Albuquerque will also feature authentic handcraft demonstrations including inner-bottle painting, traditional Chinese calligraphy and crystal engraving, which will all be available for purchase. Attendees can enjoy traditional Asian and American cuisine along with fair food and a beer garden for adults.
Dragon Lights Albuquerque will host several cultural programs this year including themed weekends, holiday activities and a booth at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Visitors who show a Dragon Lights ticket receipt at the booth will receive the first edition of the collectible Dragon Lights Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta pin for wearing, collecting and trading.
The festival will be closed on Mondays, but will run every Tuesday through Sunday and begin at 6 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. in the evening. The stage performances begin at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. from Sunday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the performances begin at 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and include an additional show at 9 p.m.
MORE:Celebrate the season with these fall festivals in New Mexico
Nosotros will perform at Feed the Body and Soul event to benefit two local nonprofits
Ample parking is available at EXPO New Mexico for $5 in cash per automobile. Tickets begin at $13 for children between 5 years old and 16 years old, with an online discounted price of $12. Admission for children younger than 5 years old is free. Tickets for military and college students with identification are $15, with an online discounted price of $14. Tickets for seniors 65 and older are $15, with an online discounted price of $14. Tickets for adults are $18, with an online discounted price of $17. A family four-pack of tickets cost $50, with an online discounted price of $48. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at the festival entrance during festival hours or at the Chinese Culture Center, 427 Adams St. SE, in Albuquerque.
For information or to purchase discounted tickets online, visit dragonlightsabq.com.