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The First Parish Church in Lexington was transformed into a dazzling celebration of culture and community as the 3rd Annual Lexington Lantern Festival took center stage. Organized by the New Legacy Cultural Center (NLCC) in collaboration with First Parish Lexington, the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL), the Lexington Historical Society, the Munroe Center for the Arts, the Cary Memorial Library, the Lexington Community Center, the Lexington 250th Commission, and the Lexington Human Rights Committee, this year’s festival was a resounding success. The event also received generous support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Rooted in over a thousand years of tradition, the Lantern Festival marks the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, symbolizing unity, prosperity, and renewal. This year’s event saw an unprecedented turnout as hundreds of residents gathered to experience a vibrant fusion of East and West, celebrating Lexington’s rich diversity.

A Night of Cultural Immersion

The festival featured a handmade lantern workshop, one of the most popular attractions. Within minutes of opening, the lower hall of First Parish Church was packed with enthusiastic participants crafting lanterns, transforming the space into a glowing wonderland. Face painting, a beloved feature of community celebrations, also captivated attendees as youth volunteers created stunning designs.
Historic and cultural exhibits from the Lexington Historical Society, the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps, and interactive showcases featuring Go (Weiqi), guzheng performances, traditional folk arts, and floral arrangements transported visitors through time and across continents.
Adding to the excitement, Colonial Dance performers invited attendees to join an 18th-century English social dance, bridging Lexington’s revolutionary past with the Ming Dynasty’s elegant traditions. Under a canopy of red lanterns, colonial gowns and traditional Chinese attire intertwined, embodying the spirit of cultural harmony.

Musical Highlights & Lantern Riddles

In a breathtaking moment, the First Parish Church choir performed a flawless rendition of the classic Chinese song Yi Jian Mei, an emotional tribute to the evening’s theme of unity. Meanwhile, traditional Chinese-English lantern riddles and “Lexington” Trivias engaged families and individuals, keeping a cherished festival tradition alive. The William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps then delivered a rousing performance, bringing the celebration to its peak.

Parade of Lights & A Dazzling Finale

One of the festival’s most meaningful elements was the community-wide wishing activity leading up to the event, with over 2,000 wish ribbons adorning the Depot, Lexington’s historic landmarks. During the festival, attendees added their own wishes, creating a shared moment of hope and renewal.
The grand finale featured a spectacular lantern parade, led by the William Diamond Junior Fife and Drum Corps and a procession of three majestic dragon dance teams, weaving through the historic streets. Accompanied by the iconic strains of Yankee Doodle, performers marched in unison as a stunning dragon lantern display lit up the Lexington sky. A real-time light show on the church’s exterior walls, along with a live-streamed broadcast, brought the festival’s magic to an even wider audience.
As Lexington continues to embrace its diverse cultural heritage, the Lexington Lantern Festival has truly become a town-wide celebration, fostering deeper connections among all residents.

Parade & Projection Clip: https://youtu.be/gDIZYLF8N7k?si=SCOQdhWjmkVncgz2
LexMedia Live Stream: https://www.youtube.com/live/Lv4NYVcgQ9M?si=VCe5kXgoT4Rst12i