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Christchurch’s popular Lantern Festival is being downsized to make way for a new event that organisers hope will be even bigger.
The inaugural South Island Moon Festival will be held in October 2020 and is designed to celebrate the city’s links to China and east Asia.
Lanterns will still feature in the city in February to celebrate the Chinese New Year, but the city’s tourism and economic development agency, ChristchurchNZ, will treat the Moon Festival as the city’s premier event to showcase Chinese culture.Â
Moon festivals are held annually in China and east Asia and celebrate culture, art, food, music, community and nature. Â
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ChristchurchNZ chief executive Joanna Norris said the event would build off the huge success of the Lantern Festival, which attracted close to 55,000 people this year, but would be held at a time of year when it could flourish.
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The inaugural South Island Moon Festival will be held in October 2020 and will largely replace the popular Lantern Festival.
Eight other events were on during the same weekend as this year’s Lantern Festival, she said.
“It’s not about taking something away, it’s about adding something into the calendar.
“We want to create a festival that is unique to Christchurch and is a drawcard event for the city.”
The length of the festival and exact events have yet to be confirmed, but it is likely to be held over three days and include activities that help people grow their understanding of the Chinese culture, Norris said.
The event was created alongside the local Chinese community, she said. Â
watching the full moon and eating moon cakes.Â
Zhonghua Chinese Society fundraising co-ordinator Roy Du said the moon festival was about families spending time together,Lanterns were lit and the streets were filled with dance, music and the arts.
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Lanterns will still feature around Christchurch in February to mark the Chinese New Year.
​Christchurch Airport trade development general manager Scott Callaway​ said Christchurch was not getting its fair share of the Chinese visitors who were coming through Christchurch Airport and he hoped the festival would encourage them to stay in the city longer.
“One extra night will contribute immensely.”
Christchurch was home to a large and growing Chinese population, who had friends and relatives living in Auckland and Australia, and he hoped they would visit Christchurch during the festival.
“If these friends and relatives are encouraged to come and experience a moon festival in Christchurch, then the Christchurch Airport will be very happy.”
The festival will be an anchor event for Bloom, the new city brand showcasing Christchurch’s spring events and attractions.
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