PHILADELPHIA — What began as a novel summer event in 2016 has blossomed into a cherished summer tradition for Philadelphia. Now in its eighth year, the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square has become a seasonal staple for locals and tourists.

This year, the festival once again transforms the historic square into a luminous wonderland.

More than a thousand handcrafted lanterns depict intricate scenes from enchanted forests to the underwater world. The centerpiece, a 200-foot-long (61-meter-long) dragon, has become an iconic symbol of summer in the city.

“It has definitely become a Philly summer tradition. People really have grown to expect it,” said Amy Needle, president and CEO of Historic Philadelphia, the event organizer. “We have people that come back every year.

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