Chinese orchestral sounds provided an interlude before lanterns were released at the Chinese Lantern Festival. Lantern festival lights up Hamilton Friday, February 24, 2012 17:20 Garden Place was buzzing when the Chinese community shared its annual Chinese Lantern Festival. Cultural activities, food stalls, music, singing and dancing all played their parts as a large crowd of all ethnicities gathered to enjoy the atmosphere. People enjoyed traditional Chinese cultural performances and food stalls, plus the traditional lanterns which were illuminated at dusk. The lantern festival is a free annual event for all ages, supported by Skycity Hamilton, the Waikato Weekly Chinese newspaper, Hamilton Central and Hamilton City Council.