The Lantern Festival marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations and dates back over 2,000 years. Traditionally held on the 15th day of the lunar calendar, it is known for beautiful lantern displays, dragon dances, and the eating of tangyuan (sweet rice balls). The festival symbolizes reunion, hope, and the letting go of past worries, with many cultures adopting similar light-based celebrations. Today, lantern festivals are celebrated worldwide, blending tradition with modern artistry.
Table of Contents
A2 Level
- Have you ever seen a lantern festival? Where?
- What colors do you think are common for lanterns?
- What do people usually do at a lantern festival?
- Would you like to make a lantern? Why?
- Do you prefer sky lanterns or floating lanterns?
- What materials do you think lanterns are made of?
- Do you like festivals with lights? Why?
- Would you rather watch a lantern festival or join the event?
- What animals or shapes would you like on your lantern?
- Do you think lanterns are good for celebrations? Why?
- What food do people eat during lantern festivals?
- Do you think lanterns are expensive to make?
- What do you think about people writing wishes on lanterns?
- Do you think children should be allowed to release sky lanterns?
- What do lanterns symbolize in different cultures?
- Have you ever taken a picture of a lantern festival?
- Do you think lantern festivals are safe? Why or why not?
- Would you like to visit a lantern festival at night or during the day?
- What would you write on a wish lantern?
- What weather is best for a lantern festival?
- Do you think floating lanterns in water are better than flying ones?
- What music do you think would be played at a lantern festival?
- Would you like to have a small lantern festival in your neighborhood?
- How do lanterns make a festival feel special?
- If you could design a lantern, what would it look like?
B1 Level
- How do you think lantern festivals help bring people together?
- Why do people use lanterns to celebrate special occasions?
- What are the environmental issues related to sky lanterns?
- How do different countries celebrate lantern festivals?
- Would you rather go to a lantern festival or a fireworks show?
- What do you think happens to lanterns after they are released?
- Should there be rules for releasing sky lanterns? Why?
- What are the best places to see a lantern festival?
- Have you ever made a paper lantern? Was it easy or difficult?
- Do you think modern technology (LEDs, drones) will change lantern festivals?
- How does a lantern festival compare to other light festivals?
- Do you think lantern festivals attract tourists? How?
- Would you rather participate in a lantern festival alone or with friends?
- Are there any lantern traditions in your country?
- How do you feel when you see hundreds of lanterns in the sky?
- What do you think is the most impressive part of a lantern festival?
- If you could attend a lantern festival anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- Do you think lantern festivals should be more eco-friendly? How?
- Why do people believe lanterns bring good luck?
- Do you think there are dangers in lighting and releasing lanterns?
- How do you think people prepare for a lantern festival?
- Would you like to design a giant lantern? What theme would you choose?
- How do lantern festivals change the atmosphere of a city?
- What emotions do people feel when they watch lanterns floating away?
- Should schools teach students how to make traditional lanterns?
B2 Level
- How does the Lantern Festival connect to cultural identity?
- Are there modern alternatives to traditional lanterns? What are they?
- Why do some countries ban sky lanterns? Do you agree?
- How do lantern festivals impact local businesses?
- Do you think digital projections could replace real lanterns?
- What is the historical significance of lantern festivals?
- How do different lantern designs reflect different cultures?
- Would you consider lantern festivals a form of art? Why?
- What role do social media and photography play in lantern festivals?
- Are lantern festivals more about personal wishes or community celebration?
- Do you think lantern festivals are too commercialized today?
- What would happen if lantern festivals stopped in the future?
- How do lantern festivals affect tourism in a country?
- Do you think lantern festivals should be open to everyone or ticketed?
- If you were organizing a lantern festival, what would you do differently?
- How would you describe the feeling of watching lanterns float away?
- Should governments limit the number of lanterns released?
- What values or lessons do lantern festivals teach younger generations?
- Would you travel abroad just to see a famous lantern festival?
- How do lantern festivals compare to other New Year celebrations?
- Do you think lantern festivals should have environmental restrictions?
- What are some innovations that could improve lantern festivals?
- Do you think lantern festivals are more meaningful for older generations?
- Should people be allowed to write anything on lanterns? Why or why not?
- How do lantern festivals bring people closer to nature?
C1 Level
- How do lantern festivals shape cultural tourism?
- Should there be a global regulation on sky lantern use?
- What does the symbolism of lanterns tell us about human psychology?
- How do lantern festivals reflect changing values in society?
- Can a lantern festival be considered a form of spiritual expression?
- What makes an event like a lantern festival memorable?
- How do festivals like these contribute to national identity?
- Could lantern festivals be used as a tool for political expression?
- Should traditional celebrations adapt to modern environmental concerns?
- Are lantern festivals a form of escapism? Why or why not?
- How do businesses exploit cultural festivals for profit?
- Do you think drone light shows could fully replace lantern festivals?
- How would you market a lantern festival to international audiences?
- What makes an event culturally significant rather than just entertaining?
- Do people romanticize lantern festivals too much? Why or why not?
- What philosophical ideas can be connected to releasing lanterns?
- Could a lantern festival work as a fundraiser for a cause?
- How does globalization affect local traditions like lantern festivals?
- Should cultural festivals be protected as UNESCO heritage sites?
- Are modern lantern festivals losing their original meaning?
C2 Level
- What are the ethical implications of cultural appropriation in lantern festivals?
- How does the commercial side of lantern festivals alter their authenticity?
- What does the Lantern Festival reveal about the human need for ritual?
- Can a festival survive if it becomes disconnected from its original meaning?
- How do light-based festivals shape urban landscapes?
- Would artificial intelligence change how lantern festivals are organized?
- How do traditional festivals help preserve intangible cultural heritage?
- What psychological impact do shared traditions like lantern festivals have?
- Can the Lantern Festival be linked to theories of collective consciousness?
- Do lantern festivals promote consumerism under the guise of tradition?
- How does nostalgia influence people’s desire to attend cultural festivals?
- Could lantern festivals serve as a form of protest or social statement?
- What is the role of ephemerality in the appeal of lantern festivals?
- Should digital alternatives replace paper lanterns to protect the environment?
- How do cultural festivals create a sense of belonging in diaspora communities?
- Could technology make traditional festivals obsolete?
- Should governments fund cultural festivals or should they be self-sustaining?
- Is the visual spectacle of a lantern festival more important than its meaning?
- What happens when a festival becomes more famous internationally than locally?
- Can a festival ever be both environmentally sustainable and traditional?