Zigong, China - April 22, 2026 - INLIGHT, a global leader in large-scale lantern festivals and immersive light experiences, announced that its international projects attracted approximately 1.5 million visitors in 2025. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the company’s global expansion and further strengthens its position in the international cultural tourism market.

Originating from Zigong—widely known as the “Lantern Capital of China”—INLIGHT has evolved from a traditional lantern manufacturer into a fully integrated cultural and creative enterprise. The company now offers end-to-end solutions including creative design, engineering, production, and operational management, delivering high-quality immersive light experiences worldwide.

In 2025, INLIGHT’s overseas projects demonstrated a clear strategic upgrade, with a strong focus on enhanced storytelling, increased interactivity, and deeper collaboration with globally recognized intellectual properties. This transformation reflects the company’s vision of evolving traditional lantern festivals into experience-driven cultural products.

The UK market emerged as a key highlight of the year. A flagship example is the Longleat project, where INLIGHT partnered with Aardman Animations to bring beloved characters such as Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run, and Wallace & Gromit to life through large-scale lantern installations.

These iconic characters were meticulously recreated using traditional craftsmanship, achieving high fidelity in color, form, and detail. By incorporating recognizable British architectural elements into the design, the project successfully blended local cultural identity with internationally renowned creative content, earning widespread praise from visitors.

Visitors were welcomed to explore multiple themed zones, each offering a unique atmosphere and narrative experience. From warm pastoral scenes to dynamic character interaction spaces, the journey combined discovery with immersion. The event attracted not only families familiar with the IPs but also a broader audience seeking high-quality nighttime cultural experiences.

By integrating storytelling into spatial and environmental design, INLIGHT has redefined the traditional lantern festival format. Rather than serving as a purely visual display, the experience becomes a multi-sensory journey shaped by light, sound, and narrative, delivering greater depth and emotional engagement.

At the same time, INLIGHT has continued to enhance interactivity by introducing a wide range of technologies, including responsive lighting systems, immersive walk-through environments, and participatory installations. These innovations not only increase visitor engagement but also extend dwell time, ultimately enhancing the overall value and appeal of each project.

“Our goal is not just to illuminate spaces, but to illuminate emotions,” said a company representative. “Through storytelling and interaction, we aim to make every visitor part of the experience, creating deeper and more meaningful connections.”

This direction aligns closely with global trends in the cultural tourism industry. As demand for immersive and experience-driven entertainment continues to grow, lantern festivals are becoming an increasingly important component of the nighttime economy. Cities and destinations worldwide are actively seeking innovative, culturally rich experiences to extend visitor stays and boost consumption.

Industry insights show that interactive and narrative-driven experiences are among the fastest-growing segments in the global leisure and entertainment market. Against this backdrop, INLIGHT’s integration of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology provides a strong competitive advantage.

In terms of international recognition, INLIGHT has become the first company in its sector to receive awards from IAAPA. The company has also received honors including “Best Christmas Experience Award” in the UK, “Best Event Award” in Ireland, “Festival Excellence Award” in Scotland, and the “Sino-French Local Government Heritage Development Cooperation Award” in France, underscoring its global excellence in creativity and execution.

To date, INLIGHT has delivered projects in more than 60 countries and regions and over 400 cities worldwide, hosting more than 2,000 events. Its clients include zoos, botanical gardens, theme parks, municipalities, and cultural institutions, reflecting extensive international project experience.

With fully integrated capabilities spanning creative design, engineering, manufacturing, logistics, on-site installation, and operations, INLIGHT ensures efficient delivery and stable execution of large-scale international projects—even in complex cross-border environments.

Alongside innovation, INLIGHT is committed to sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient lighting systems and environmentally friendly materials to support greener, low-carbon project development in line with global environmental goals and client expectations.

Looking ahead, INLIGHT will continue to expand its international footprint, deepen partnerships with global IP holders, and explore new possibilities in interactive technologies and digital experiences. The company is also investing in data-driven and intelligent solutions to further personalize and enhance visitor engagement.

“Lantern festivals are a universal language,” the company added. “By combining tradition, creativity, and technology, we are creating cultural experiences that connect audiences around the world and showcase the beauty of light art.”

Media Contact
Company Name: INLIGHT
Contact Person: Nancy Xiang
Email: Send Email
Country: China
Website: https://inlightfest.com/