The 2018 Huogong Palace temple fair will kick off on Feb 9, to give a grand display of folk art and culture during the Spring Festival for locals and tourists in Changsha, Hunan province.
Eight major events will be held throughout the Spring Festival temple fair, lasting until March 2, the day Chinese Lantern Festival falls on this year.
The 22-day temple fair will cheer up the ancient city with a range of miscellaneous activities, traditional art performance, blind dates, and food fairs.
Technologies will also be utilized to add more fun to the festivities, enabling participants to use WeChat to create and post their greeting cards.
Organizers have conducted a public survey regarding the design of the two mascots for this year's temple fair with the original design only making its debut recently.
Named Tianfu, meaning more blessings, the two mascots are designed with a dog theme in mind to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dog in 2018.
The 2018 Huogong Palace Temple Fair Schedule
Feb 9 launch ceremony
Activities include lion dance performances, operas, food fairs and a creative cultural products trade fair.
Venue: Pozi Street (Main venue), Yichunyuan ancient stage on Taiping Street and Huogong Palace (two sub-avenues)
On Feb 16 - 22 Temple fair
The perfect time to experience folk culture and customs in Changsha, and taste some delicious food.
Venue: Huogong Palace
On Feb 9 - 11 Public performance
Volunteers are welcome to perform, as awards will be given to those who perform.
Venue: Yichunyuan ancient stage on Taiping Street
On the afternoon of Feb 11 Blind dates party
Traditional wedding customs and interactive games will help singles to gain some insight of Changsha wedding traditions and find their Mrs and Mr Right.
Venue: Yichunyuan ancient stage on Taiping Street
On the morning of Feb 25 Opera performances
Xiang Opera, flower-and-drum opera and Changsha Tanci, a famous folk-art brand native to Hunan province, and many other art forms will be present.
Venue: Yichunyuan ancient stage on Taiping Street
On the morning of March 2 Closing ceremony
People dressed up like characters from famous folklores and lion dance performers will parade on the main streets on this day. It will help motivate the hope for the best of the upcoming new year.
Venue: Taiping Street, Pozi Street, Sanwang Street, and Pedestrian Street of Huangxing South Road
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