On February 22, villagers played dragon dance in Xidu Town, Hengyang County, Hengyang City. Local people carried out colorful folk activities to welcome the Lantern Festival on the same day. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Liu Xinrong)

The Lantern Festival falls on February 24 this year, which is the fifteenth day of the first month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and also marks the first full moon of the year. The festival marks the end of the Spring Festival celebrations.

On February 22, people played dragon dance in Daiying Town, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang City. Local residents carried out colorful folk activities to welcome the Lantern Festival on the same day. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Xie Rui)

On February 22, people staged dragon dance and opera programs in Daiying Town, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang City. Local residents carried out colorful folk activities to welcome the Lantern Festival on the same day. (Photo/Cao Zhengping and Xie Rui)

On February 22, a dragon dance team performed at the ancestral hall in Shiqiu Village, Zhuquan Town, Jiahe County, Chenzhou City. Recently, residents across the county have carried out colorful folk activities to welcome the Lantern Festival. (Photo/Huang Chuntao)