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Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Korea Herald
Agoda Spotlights Lantern Festivals Across Asia to Brighten the Year
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda is shining a light on some of Asia's most enchanting lantern festivals coming up in the remainder of the year. These lantern festivals are unmissable for travelers eager to immerse themselves in culture and dazzling light-filled celebrations. Lantern festivals have long been a favorite for travelers, offering a unique blend of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. For those who marveled at earlier festivals this year, like China's Spring Lantern Festival or Taiwan's PingXi Lantern Festival, there's good news—there are still plenty of opportunities to catch more lantern-lit magic in the months ahead. Monthly: Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms this charming riverside town into a glowing wonderland every full moon. Visitors can expect the streets to be bathed in the warm glow of colorful lanterns, while the Thu Bon River sparkles with floating lights. This monthly celebration is a tribute to Vietnam's rich heritage, offering travelers a chance to release their own lanterns and make a wish. The festival's intimate atmosphere and timeless beauty make it a must-see for those seeking a serene yet magical experience. August 2025: Nara Tokae Lantern Festival and Obon Festival, Japan August in Japan is a double delight for lantern lovers. The Nara Tokae Lantern Festival lights up the historic city of Nara with thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns, creating a captivating illumination amidst ancient temples and deer-filled parks. Meanwhile, the Obon Festival, celebrated nationwide, honors ancestors with floating lanterns and traditional dances. Together, these festivals offer a harmonious blend of reflection, celebration, and cultural immersion. October 2025: Mid-Autumn Festival, China China's Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a time for family reunions and moonlit festivities. Lantern displays take center stage, with intricate designs ranging from mythical creatures to modern art. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host grand celebrations, but smaller towns also offer a more intimate charm. Mooncakes, storytelling, and lantern parades make this festival a feast for the senses and the soul. November 2025: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of light and water. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, while floating krathongs (decorative baskets) are set adrift on rivers. This dual celebration symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and welcoming good luck. The sight of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky is a memory that will linger long after the festival ends. December 2025: Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, is a dazzling display of craftsmanship and community spirit. Known as the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines," San Fernando showcases massive, intricately designed lanterns that light up the night in a kaleidoscope of colors. This festival is a testament to Filipino creativity and a joyful way to usher in the holiday season. Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, "Lantern festivals are more than just a visual treat; they're a window into the heart of a culture. Agoda is here to help travelers experience the magic firsthand and make their journeys as seamless as possible. Whether you're floating a lantern in Hoi An or Chiang Mai, Agoda's got your travel plans covered." With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities to choose from, Agoda makes it easy to plan a lantern-lit adventure. Visit and find the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
Malaysian Reserve
19-05-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
Agoda Spotlights Lantern Festivals Across Asia to Brighten the Year
SINGAPORE, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda is shining a light on some of Asia's most enchanting lantern festivals coming up in the remainder of the year. These lantern festivals are unmissable for travelers eager to immerse themselves in culture and dazzling light-filled celebrations. Lantern festivals have long been a favorite for travelers, offering a unique blend of tradition, artistry, and community spirit. For those who marveled at earlier festivals this year, like China's Spring Lantern Festival or Taiwan's PingXi Lantern Festival, there's good news—there are still plenty of opportunities to catch more lantern-lit magic in the months ahead. Monthly: Hoi An Lantern Festival, Vietnam Hoi An's Lantern Festival transforms this charming riverside town into a glowing wonderland every full moon. Visitors can expect the streets to be bathed in the warm glow of colorful lanterns, while the Thu Bon River sparkles with floating lights. This monthly celebration is a tribute to Vietnam's rich heritage, offering travelers a chance to release their own lanterns and make a wish. The festival's intimate atmosphere and timeless beauty make it a must-see for those seeking a serene yet magical experience. August 2025: Nara Tokae Lantern Festival and Obon Festival, Japan August in Japan is a double delight for lantern lovers. The Nara Tokae Lantern Festival lights up the historic city of Nara with thousands of candle-lit paper lanterns, creating a captivating illumination amidst ancient temples and deer-filled parks. Meanwhile, the Obon Festival, celebrated nationwide, honors ancestors with floating lanterns and traditional dances. Together, these festivals offer a harmonious blend of reflection, celebration, and cultural immersion. October 2025: Mid-Autumn Festival, China China's Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, is a time for family reunions and moonlit festivities. Lantern displays take center stage, with intricate designs ranging from mythical creatures to modern art. Cities like Beijing and Shanghai host grand celebrations, but smaller towns also offer a more intimate charm. Mooncakes, storytelling, and lantern parades make this festival a feast for the senses and the soul. November 2025: Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand Chiang Mai's Yi Peng and Loy Krathong Festival is a breathtaking spectacle of light and water. Thousands of lanterns are released into the sky, while floating krathongs (decorative baskets) are set adrift on rivers. This dual celebration symbolizes letting go of misfortunes and welcoming good luck. The sight of illuminated lanterns ascending into the night sky is a memory that will linger long after the festival ends. December 2025: Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, is a dazzling display of craftsmanship and community spirit. Known as the 'Christmas Capital of the Philippines,' San Fernando showcases massive, intricately designed lanterns that light up the night in a kaleidoscope of colors. This festival is a testament to Filipino creativity and a joyful way to usher in the holiday season. Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director at Agoda, said, 'Lantern festivals are more than just a visual treat; they're a window into the heart of a culture. Agoda is here to help travelers experience the magic firsthand and make their journeys as seamless as possible. Whether you're floating a lantern in Hoi An or Chiang Mai, Agoda's got your travel plans covered.' With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities to choose from, Agoda makes it easy to plan a lantern-lit adventure. Visit and find the best deals on the Agoda mobile app.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Petiton started to bring the ‘town' back to SLC's Japantown
SALT LAKE CITY () — A petition has been started online, looking to bring the 'town' back to Japantown and to fill the historic area with Japanese businesses once again. This petition follows the recent announcement that Salt Lake County approved the sale of 6.5 acres of the Salt Palace for a new entertainment district, as well as Delta Center Renovations. The petition says its purpose is to activate 100 South Japantown Street with 'Japanese businesses, restaurants, and artist space within the Sports, Entertainment, Culture and Convention District, especially for any commercial space facing Japan Town Street.' How a Utah-based non-profit is working to fight food insecurity 'The whole thing that I have been focusing on is trying to reinvigorate the commercial aspect on that street, especially because the Smith Entertainment Group has mentioned that they will activate first south, and there's not that many specifics,' Clarissa Park, who started the petition, said. 'But to me, I just hope that they would activate it with commercial space and that they would prioritize Japanese businesses on Japantown Street.' Over two thousand people lived in Japantown before it was destroyed in the late 1960s when the Salt Palace Convention Center was built. It spanned across 100 South in Salt Lake City. Now, only a smart part of it remains, west of the Salt Palace, with the honor title 'Japantown Street.' The Salt Lake Buddhist Temple and the Japanese Church of Christ exist as landmarks that reflect the town's history. Yearly, Nihon Matsuri and the Obon Festival are celebrated in Japantown, focusing on Japanese culture and beliefs. Park wrote another petition about Japantown last year, focusing on , known as the Capital City Revitalization Zone, and asking that the Japanese American community be involved in the Participation Agreement between Smith Entertainment Group and the Salt Lake City Council. This petition received over 5,000 signatures. Park hopes the new one can reach the same amount. Park said that she lived half her life in L.A., and half in Utah, and was inspired by the celebration of cultural diversity she saw there. 'When I moved back, I saw that they had named 100 South between 2nd and 3rd West Japantown Street. I was like, 'Oh, that's so cool,'' she said. 'But where's the 'town' in Japantown? All that's left are the two churches. Coming from L.A., which is so culturally and ethnically diverse, it just made me really want to try to bring elements of what I experienced there back to Salt Lake because I know how ethnically rich Salt Lake is, too.' Park writes in the new petition that it remains imperative that the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, Japanese Christian Church, and Japanese Garden remain protected and preserved as historical beacons and remaining pieces of Japantown, along with additions to celebrate the local Japanese community. 'I would love a place for me and my family to go to just on a whim. We don't have to be dependent on there being a festival happening or anything else,' she said. 'I just really saw this as an opportunity to get involved in the community again and hopefully raise awareness.' Park is grateful for all the support the petitions have received, and is asking people to continue spreading the word. Tonight, May 9, there will be an opportunity to sign the petition in person at Sugarhouse Coffee during the Sugarhouse Art Walk from 6 – 9 p.m. To learn more, visit the SLC Japantown Instagram. St. George set to host final IRONMAN race this weekend Otter-ly adorable: Help name the new river otter pup at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Rule banning off road vehicles in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area overturned Petiton started to bring the 'town' back to SLC's Japantown Pope Leo XIV celebrates first Mass as details emerge of how conclave votes coalesced Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
