A Lantern Festival to Close Chinese New Year

Crowds arrive early for the show

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To celebrate the close of Chinese New Year, Aucklands large Chinese community combine to present to the citizens of the city a Lantern Festival which is always held in the very Victorian style Albert Park, opposite the Auckland University in the centre of the city.

The three day event has become so popular that it has spilled over onto the adjoining streets.  Princes St outside the Auckland Universtiy which during the day is choked with motor bikes and scooters, during the festival becomes a huge outdoor Asian food market.  Other city streets have trading stalls set up.

At the close of the event on the Sunday night a huge chinese fireworks display is presented which can be viewed from all over the city.