This is sad news.
Auckland Lantern Festival is a wonderful event that invites the whole community to celebrate the lunar new year under the stunning Chinese lanterns.
This year was set to be no different, with plans to ring in the Year Of The Ox underway for the 21st edition of the event.
Initially, it was due to take place on February 25-28, but these dates were postponed until March 4-7 when Auckland was placed into Alert Level-Three of Covid-19 restrictions. It all looked like things were going to plan, when restrictions were loosened, meaning the event could go ahead.
However, Auckland has once again been placed into level three, this time from 6am on February 28 for seven days.
This means it’s not possible to hold the event at all this year, as the time period of level 3 overlaps with the dates of the festival. Auckland Unlimited posted an update confirming the decision.
“The Auckland Lantern Festival is one of the biggest celebrations of our Chinese communities and it’s a real shame that it can’t go ahead this year,” said Phil Goff, Mayor of Auckland.
“However, given the uncertain situation with new and more transmissible variants of COVID-19 being detected in the community, a precautionary approach is warranted. I look forward to being able to celebrate the Lantern Festival when it returns next year.”
Tickets for the event this year were free, and so will be cancelled automatically.