Chinese lantern festival coming to Franklin Square

For seven weeks this spring, Franklin Square will have a new lighting source.

A Chinese lantern festival will take place at the square from April 22 to June 12.

Organizers say the event is the first of its kind in the northeast United States and part of a yearlong celebration of the 10th year of the square in its current configuration.

More than 25 lantern displays will be created in China for the event. The lanterns will include depictions of spring, animals and Chinese symbols, according to Historic Philadelphia, the nonprofit that operates the public venue at 6th and Race streets.

Tickets will be required after 6 p.m. The price hasn't yet been determined.

The lantern festival is traditionally celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. That falls on Feb. 22 this year, but Historic Philadelphia said the Franklin Square festival was pushed back until later in the spring because of the city's cold winters.