Liverpool’s annual Lanterns and Lights festival is set to return on May 31, with this year marking the event’s first edition at Liverpool Powerhouse.
The one day festival, which celebrates Asian culture, food and performance, will run from 10am to 4pm across the Powerhouse venue and surrounding parklands. Entry will remain free, with organisers planning a larger program following the event’s move to the new location.
Now in its fourth year, Lanterns and Lights has drawn more than 40,000 attendees across previous editions and has become one of Liverpool City Council’s major cultural events.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said relocating the festival to Liverpool Powerhouse would allow organisers to expand both the indoor and outdoor experience for visitors.
“Lanterns and Lights has become a much loved event for our community, celebrating the diversity that defines Liverpool,” Mayor Mannoun said.
“Bringing the festival to the Liverpool Powerhouse allows us to offer an even richer experience for residents and visitors.”
Pic supplied
This year’s program will feature performances representing communities from across Asia, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Korean groups. Scheduled acts include the Pink Lotus Dance Group, Red Maple Leaves, the Sydney Okinawan Group and KPOP Demon Hunters.
Visitors can also expect martial arts demonstrations, Chinese acrobatics, Indonesian mask dancing and roaming lion performances throughout the day.
Family focused workshops and activities are planned across the site, including KPOP dance classes, origami sessions, martial arts workshops and mask making activities. Families will also be able to attend a screening of the animated film Raya and the Last Dragon.
Food remains a central part of the festival, with vendors serving a wide range of Asian cuisines. Bellbird Dining & Bar inside the Powerhouse will also offer a dedicated Asian fusion menu during the event.
Council says the festival forms part of its broader Experience the World series, which aims to showcase the cultural diversity of the Liverpool region through community events and public celebrations.
Mayor Mannoun said festivals such as Lanterns and Lights also contribute to the local economy by attracting visitors into the area.
“Events like this celebrate culture while supporting local businesses by bringing more people into Liverpool,” he said.
Liverpool Powerhouse, located next to Casula Station, has increasingly become a focal point for cultural programming and public events in the region, with council positioning the venue as a growing arts and entertainment hub for Western Sydney.
Lanterns and Lights will take place on Sunday May 31 from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free, while food, market purchases and film screenings will be available at additional cost.
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