Call for Entries Worldwide! Sichuan Zigong Lantern Design Competition Launched
In early December, the "Zigong Lantern Creative Competition" officially launched, inviting entries from around the world that combine strong cultural identity, artistic appeal, and practical feasibility. Selected works will be featured in the 32nd Zigong International Dinosaur Lantern Festival's Mid-Autumn & National Day Garden Expo. Submissions will be accepted through 31 January 2026.
The competition is built around two main tracks-Lantern Installation Creativity and Lantern Cultural-Creative Design-covering both innovative lantern displays and the transformation of lantern culture into everyday products, so creators of all kinds can find a fit.
Lantern Installation Creativity focuses on bold design that can actually be built and shown. It is split into three categories:
1. Traditional Craft Re-imagined
"Old skills, new expression." Entrants must keep the core Zigong crafts-bamboo framing, silk wrapping, paper-cutting-while injecting contemporary design thinking.
2. Cultural-IP Spin-offs
Starting from Zigong icons such as salt wells, dinosaurs, and local cuisine, creators develop lantern IPs that can travel easily across different venues and promotional scenes.
3. Tech-Enhanced Interaction
LED smart control, AR/VR immersion, eco-materials and other modern technologies are woven into the lantern space to give visitors a hands-on, immersive experience-without ignoring real-world production costs.
Lantern Cultural-Creative Design concentrates on moving lantern culture into everyday life and offers three creative briefs:
1. Lantern Mascot
Create Zigong's signature visual IP. Work the core lantern motifs and local icons into characters ready to become plush toys, sticker packs, GIFs, etc.
2. Gifts from Zigong
Fuse lantern culture with salt-well lore, dinosaur fever and southern-Sichuan folk traditions to produce crossover heritage pieces-home accessories, digital collectibles, or any object that marries cultural depth with market-ready aesthetics.
3. Mini Lantern Souvenirs
Think gift-able and packable: tiny night-lights, key-ring lanterns, fold-flat paper lamps-small, light, easy to mail or toss in a suitcase for holiday giving or tourist mementos.
There are no borders or badges required-anyone, anywhere can enter: hobbyists, professional designers, university students and teachers, officially recognized bearers of intangible heritage, individuals, teams or institutions.
