Locals and tourists savor folk culture and extend the festive spirit of the first lunar month at a Lantern Festival celebration in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Wang Haibin/for chinadaily.com]

A Lantern Festival celebration was held over the weekend in Qingdao, Shandong province, drawing locals and tourists to savor folk culture and extend the festive spirit of the first lunar month.

As part of the 2026 national "Our Festival" series, the event featured public performances, displays of intangible cultural heritage handicrafts, and a Chinese New Year-themed trade fair. By blending holiday traditions with Qingdao's century-old folk customs, the celebration painted a warm and lively picture of the Year of the Horse.