The Lantern City

From February 9 to March 9, the Burrard Benches plaza glows with lanterns inspired by the Year of the Horse fierce energy—untamed, enduring, and swift. Horses charge forward even in the face of a storm, guided by instinct and resilience. Inspired by this noble spirit, “Brave the Wind” becomes LunarFest’s call for courage: a challenge to each of us to move forward through life’s turbulence with grace, conviction, and openness.

The Brave the Wind lantern series features artists with South Asian ancestry, blending traditional storytelling with contemporary vibes. Queer Punjabi artist Jag Nagra returns to The Lantern City lineup, alongside illustrator Anu Chouhan and multidisciplinary artist Miles Saraswat. Each of their distinct styles harnesses the chaos within the winds of life—the vibrancy of human nature and the vitality of the animals we share the lands with. Through their artworks, we find new ways to brave the wind in this new year.