Dragon boats ferry people for a ride on the lake at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dozens of paper lanterns dotted the sunny skies around L.A.’s Echo Park Lake on Saturday, at the 43rd annual Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival. Alongside them were blue, red, white and yellow-colored Philippine flags fluttering in the hot summer breeze.
The annual weekend-long event, first started in 1972 by L.A. City’s parks and recreation department and other cultural committees, recognizes the diverse spirit and culture of the Philippines. Organizers said the Lotus Festival is an adaptation of the Philippines’ Giant Lantern Festival — also called the Kapampangan: Ligligan Parol, annually celebrated in December — which includes lighted lotus lanterns, made of rice paper and other custom materials.
Illuminated paper lanterns symbolize hope for a brighter future, appreciation for loved ones and memories of those who have passed away, festival organizers said; while lotus lanterns represent rebirth, purity and life.
The weekend event included cultural dances, paper lantern launches, dragon boat races, live performances and more activities. Community vendors included palm-weaving artists and those writing traditional Philippine script, called “baybayin.” Ginto Seeds sold a modern take on the traditional barong, a men’s outfit worn for special occasions.
The City of LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks puts on the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Assembly member Wendy Carillo attends the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dragon boats ferry people for a ride on the lake at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The City of LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks puts on the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The City of LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks puts on the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Nam Jiang and her daughter Ella, 5, hang out at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Bella Martin poses with her granddaughters at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dragon boats ferry people for a ride on the lake at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dragon boats ferry people for a ride on the lake at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Lotus flowers are in bloom at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Ella Jiang, 5, hangs out at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The City of LA’s Department of Recreation and Parks puts on the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Pat Buan attends the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia attends the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Maria Alnee Gamble, consul general of the Philippines, attends opening ceremonies for the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Lotus flowers are in bloom at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Lotus flowers are in bloom at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Karen Bass attends opening ceremonies for the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Bella Martin poses with her granddaughters at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Assembly member Wendy Carillo attends the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Pat Buan attends the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Karen Bass attends opening ceremonies for the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Lotus flowers are in bloom at the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Isabella Loyola performs the National Anthem during opening ceremonies for the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor Karen Bass attends opening ceremonies for the 43rd Los Angeles Lotus “Lights of Dream” Festival, celebrating the spirit and culture of the Philippines, at Echo Park Lake on Saturday, July 13, 2024.
(Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
The city of LA is home to the largest population of people of Filipino descent, according to the Los Angeles Almanac.
The free festival continues Sunday, July 14 from 1:30 to 9 p.m. at the lake, 751 Echo Park Ave. Tickets are required for the lantern launch. The biodegradable lantern kit and candles can be purchased through the event page for $25 before 5 p.m., and for $35 afterward for the evening launches.
