On Saturday 4 February 2012 on a beautiful still, balmy night the Australia China Friendship Society, ACT Branch hosted the Lantern festival on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.  The site was decorated with Chinese lanterns and knots, coloured lights and fairy lights and there was a traditional Chinese Gate which was the entry point for all the performances.  Paper lanterns were for sale with all proceeds going to Project Hope, an organization that helps disadvantaged children remain at school.  The ACT Branch supports 21 such impoverished children.  Participants in the Festival came from a broad spectrum of the Canberra Community and were from all age groups.

Performance groups include ANU Chinese Classical Music Ensemble, Australian Chinese Culture Exchange & Promotion Association Inc(ACCEPA),Prosperous Mountain Lion Dance Troupe, the Jin Ju Wushu Academy and the Chinese New Star dancing Group.
The conclusion to the evening was the spectacular lantern parade, led by the Chinese lion through the trees and along the edge of Lake Burley Griffin.  Most of the people attending the Festival participated in the parade and the lanterns made a beautiful sight as darkness fell.