The Philadelphia Lantern Festival turns Franklin Square into a portal to another dimension

But does the spectacle make it OK for a ticketed show to take over a public park? A debate is brewing.

Instagram

Thanks for reading another Billy Penn story

Find everything you need to know about Philly, every day — in clear, direct language, like a good friend might say.

No clickbait, no cliffhangers: the Billy Penn morning newsletter.

Sign me up!

Thanks for supporting Billy Penn!

Test your local knowledge — join us for the next Philly Quizzo virtual event, or take the quiz online.

I'm a Philly wiz

Lock in your support

Reader support powers our local pandemic reporting. A monthly membership helps lock it in.

Can we count on you as a Billy Penn sustainer?

Yes, I'm in!