In photos: 2025 Auckland’s dazzling Lantern Festival
Thousands attended the opening day of the Auckland Lantern Festival at Manukau Sports Bowl on Feb 13, with visitors enjoying more than 500 silk lanterns, poignant cultural performances and delectable cuisine from all parts of Asia.
A visitor stands beneath lanterns depicting birds that have been placed in trees at the festival.
It's hard to imagine a small lantern of Buddha ever being made.
A diverse crowd attended the first day of the festival at Manukau Sports Bowl.
Lanterns depicting a tiger toy commonly found in China hang in trees at the festival.
A child carries a traditional lion lantern during the festival.
The 30-metre dragon that debuted in 2024 was still popular with visitors at this year's festival.
Lion dancers kept the crowds entertained throughout the afternoon.
The never-stopping jet coaster.
A man sells headdress of the Monkey King at the festival.
To a child, the flight overhead was more fascinating than anything happening on stage.
A family poses for a selfie at the festival with a lantern depicting a jellyfish.
The 30-metre dragon lantern.
Fire walk with me: A group performs a dragon dance near a lantern depicting a snake at the festival.