A two-month-long celebration of Chinese culture is now underway at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, for the Lantern Light Festival's debut in Pleasanton.
The festival features food, acrobatics, shopping opportunities -- and of course, giant lanterns, planted on the ground. The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month, traditionally ending the Chinese New Year period.
Some of the prominent lantern displays at the Pleasanton event include a 400-foot dragon, giant panda, flower gardens, lantern tunnel, safari animals, shark, dolphins and more.
There are other non-lantern attractions as well, such as the Forbidden City maze, mini golf, Chinese acrobats, food vendors, artisans and more.
The festival opened Nov. 30 and will run through Jan. 20, open Thursday and Sunday nights from 5-10 p.m., and 5-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday. From Dec. 20 through Jan. 6, the festival will be open daily, from 5-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
On New Year's Eve, the event will be open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Tickets range from $18 to $23 per person, and can be purchased online at lanternlightfestival.com.
