One of Calgary’s largest and most popular festivals in the fall is set to return on Sept. 12, with more than a few lights to brighten up the evening sky.

The Chinatown Lantern Festival has regularly drawn thousands of visitors to the annual evening of cultural performances, market vendors, and food.

But those same thousands have begun to outstrip the space that the festival takes place in.

Addressing that challenge for 2025, the festival is set to take place over several blocks instead of one and will also have an expanded use of the Calgary Chinatown Cultural Centre for cultural performances.

“It was really a surprise to us because there was such a big turnout, it was super crowded. And so we thought it was just for safety reasons as well, we’d expand that base and open it up a little bit. So we’re excited to see more people out, and September is a great time because people are just back in the city, and it’s going to be one of the first festivals in September,” said Judy Eng-Hum, Executive Director for the Calgary Chinatown BIA.

One of the reasons why the Lantern Festival has become so popular is that it is one of the few truly night-time focused festivals in the city, she said.

“The lights really light up the street, and it’s so beautiful to see. It’s also fall and the colours. That is what I think attracts them down there,” said Eng-Hum.

Those social media moments that have gone viral after each previous festival will still be a part of the festival for 2025, she said.

Eng-Hum said this year, there is an expanded number of vendors and a new area for non-profits and social service agencies to meet with Calgarians.

Cuties Market, which has been operating a night market at the Dragon City Mall, will also be having a presence inside of the Chinese Cultural Centre.

The outdoor stage has also been moved to clear up more space, and performances will be held outside in the Livingston Place lawn and inside the cultural centre.

Eng-Hum said that individuals who missed the chance to make lanterns for the festival during the Calgary Chinatown Street Festival in August would have a limited opportunity to make one during the festival.

“We’re giving away 100 lanterns for people to sign up for, and just make your own lantern amazing. And then we’re also going to have the incense light Dragon Parade, which is going to take place as well,” she said.

That parade, which is different from the traditional lion dance, features lanterns, lights, and incense and is particularly spectacular to see at night said Eng-Hum.

Attendance at the Chinatown Lantern Festival is free. For more details, see www.calgarychinatown.com.