News

Hundreds of residents gathered in Lexington’s historic town center Sunday for the 4th Annual Lexington Lantern Festival, a community celebration marking the Lunar New Year with cultural performances, family activities, and a lantern parade.
The event, held at the Cary Memorial Building and along Massachusetts Avenue, was organized by the New Legacy Cultural Center (NLCC) in partnership with more than twenty local organizations, including the Town of Lexington, the Lex250 Commission, the Lexington History Museums, and the Chinese American Association of Lexington.
Families participated in lantern-making, Chinese calligraphy, and cultural exhibits throughout the afternoon, while students and community groups presented music, dance, and traditional performances on stage. Highlights included Chinese folk music, youth performances, colonial country dancing, and a performance by the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps.
The evening concluded with a lantern parade from Cary Hall to the Lexington Visitors Center, where a projection light show illuminated the historic Buckman Tavern and Visitors Center.
“This was a beautiful evening,” said Lexington Select Board Chair Jill Hai. “Seeing the community come together to light lanterns during one of the darkest times of the year is incredibly meaningful.”
Festival organizers say the annual event continues to grow as a way to celebrate Lunar New Year while strengthening connections across Lexington’s diverse community.