The Lyu Opera lantern set is displayed at the 45th Spring Festival lantern fair in Jinan. [Photo/Dazhong News]

Traditional lantern fairs across Shandong are lighting up more than just the night – they're boosting consumer spending significantly. From Jinan's 45th Spring Festival lantern fair with its 35 themed displays to Qingdao's "lanterns in the sea" installations, these luminous attractions blend cultural heritage with modern entertainment.

Cities are innovating with immersive experiences. Zibo's lantern fair features 88 large displays paired with interactive performances, while Rizhao's Ancient City of Ju State uses 30 lantern sets to tell local legends. A scenic area in Linyi offers unique day-night experiences with a fairy-tale parade by day and spectacular iron fireworks at night, providing visitors an opportunity to enjoy lanterns alongside stories presented by characters.

The economic impact is substantial. For instance, Weifang's Hanting district sold nearly 3,000 lantern sets in 2025, generating close to 100 million yuan ($14.46 million) in annual revenue. During this year's Spring Festival, cities like Jinan, Qingdao, and Yantai have been focused on developing their night economy, launching invoice lottery programs, attracting 327,000 participants and generating nearly 520 million yuan in transactions by Feb 22.