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Genshin Impact Lantern Rite Guide 2026

The Lantern Rite is the biggest yearly festival in Genshin Impact. It celebrates the Lunar New Year and brings valuable rewards annually. This year, Lantern Rite returns under the new A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon name. This Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 guide breaks down every important part of the event so you can get all rewards.

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Genshin Impact Lantern Rite TL;DR

  • Lantern Rite 2026 runs for 25 days, from January 30 to February 23. 

  • You can claim 1,600 Primogems from mail, plus up to 10 pulls from login rewards

  • The event includes a free 4-star Liyue character selector, with strong meta picks like Xiangling and Xingqiu.

  • You can get Yaoyao skin for free 

  • Rewards are time-limited

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Lantern Rite 2026 Timeline

Lantern Rite 2026 is tied to the 6.3 version update, which launched in mid-January 2026. The festival goes on for most of the month as part of the Lunar New Year celebration, and there are multiple active event phases. If you are wondering when is Lantern Rite Genshin 2026 going to be live, here’s the exact timeline:

  • January 14 – Version 6.3 goes live.

  • January 16 – Pre-festival activities like Shutterflash Memory Hunt and May Fortune Find You kick off.

  • January 30 to February 23 – Main Lantern Rite festival: A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon. This is the core period for Lantern Rite quests, mini-games, and rewards.

Lantern Rite rewards expire if you don’t claim them in time, so stay conscious about how long is Lantern Rite 2026, which is approx 3 weeks. That’s enough time to get all even rewards, but it’s better to start early to guarantee that you’re getting all freebies.

A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 Rewards

Lantern Rite events are known and valued for their generous rewards. In 2026, you can earn valuable items through daily login, quest completion, and event currency exchange. Here are all of the Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 rewards:

  • Log in during Lantern Rite and claim 1600 primos in your mail alongside leveling mats.

  • Cumulative daily login rewards up to 10 limited banner pulls. Combined with mail Primogems, that totals around 20 free wishes depending on your progress and timing. By completing event’s minigames and questlines, you can expect to earn around 1000 primogems.

  • Besides the newest Traveler’s outfit released this patch, 6.3 also treats us with a YaoYao’s Lantern Rite free skin, earnable as part of the event. Make sure to claim it before the event ends, as afterward it will be purchasable exclusively from the shop for 1680 Genesis Crystals.

This event is traditionally a great way for players to target-fill holes in their roster or get constellations without spending Wishes, as well as collect some pulls for free.

Lantern Rite Genshin 2026 Characters Selector

Lantern Rite Genshin Impact Character Selector

For a lot of players, the most sought-after reward of the Lantern Rite event is the free 4-star character. There is a lot to choose from. Here’s a full Lantern Rite Genshin 2026 characters selector pool:

  • Beidou

  • Ningguang

  • Xiangling

  • Xingqiu

  • Chongyun

  • Xinyan

  • Yanfei

  • Yaoyao

  • Gaming

  • Lan Yan

  • Yun Jin

The best option depends on which characters you enjoy playing and have unlocked. Best meta options are traditionally Xiangling as a fire sub-dps and Xingqiu due to his great off-field hydro application. Lan Yan and Yao Yao are great picks if you need healers or shielders in your roster. Or just choose whoever you like.

How to Start Lanter Rite Event in Genshin

If you are a fresh player, you cannot just jump in and start earning event rewards. To start the Lanter Rite Event in Genshin, you have to be Adventure Rank 20. Once the event unlocks, you’ll see an event menu where Lantern Rite activities are tracked. From there, you can proceed to the Liye Harbor, where the main event’s activities are completed.

Genshin Lantern Rite Event Activities and Mini-Games

Lantern Rite brings a whole new story filled with quests centered around Liye Harbor. But besides that, there are new mechanics and limited-time event minigames for you to complete for hefty primogem rewards. Genshin Lantern Rite event activities are:

  1. Xiao Lanterns

During the festival, you’ll collect and release Xiao Lanterns that will drift into other players' worlds. In these, they will find various presents tied to the event. You can find lanterns sent by other players in your world as well.

      2. Jade Collection Minigame

During this activity, you navigate a side-scroll style challenge, collecting Jade while dodging floating lanterns. 

      3. Combat Challenges

There are combat festival challenges tasking you with defeating enemies or lighting up Xiao’s lanterns under time constraints. These battles often tie into festival lore and offer charm coins or other festival currency. You’ll get lots of rewards for completing these, including primogems and leveling materials.

       4. Fortune Coins

The festival adds Auspicious Treasure Trees around Liyue Harbor. Striking these trees gives fortune coins, a temporary event currency. 

These festival events rotate throughout the celebration, so check your event tracker daily to see what’s available.

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