Lantern Festival will go ahead

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Great news!

The Christchurch Lantern Festival will still go ahead as planned this weekend however there will be NO Fireworks as previously advertised.

Council event staff have been in contact with Police and St John and they are supportive of this event still proceeding.

Saturday and Sunday Feb 18-19
5pm - 10.30pm
North Hagley Park

The Lantern Festival has been part of the Chinese New Year celebrations since the Han Dynasty (206BC - 221AD).

Usually held on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, it marks the end of New Year festivities.

Parking
Wilson Parking and the Council have teamed up to offer cheap parking for this event. Select Wilson car parks within the central city will offer flat-rate car parking of $3 between 3pm - midnight on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February.
The locations are:

118 Victoria St - 40 parks
374 Montreal St - 60 parks
55 Kilmore St - 30 parks
66-68 Kilmore St - 80 parks
76 Armagh St - 60 parks
109 Cambridge Tce - 30 parks
605 Colombo St - 35 parks
74 Worcester Blvd (Old Clarendon Tower site) - 60 parks

Other parking options include central city Council car parks and on street parking (various charges may apply), parking is not permitted on the grassed area of Cranmer Square.

There will be no public car parking available on Hagley Park.The Botanic Gardens Armagh Street car park will be closed to incoming traffic from 3pm on both days, with the exception of mobility card holders.

Drop-off zones will be located on Park terrace (between Armagh and Kilmore Streets) and Harper Ave.