The moon is high in the sky above Liyue Harbor as “A Lanternlit Ode to the Silver Moon” begins. This 2026 edition of the Lantern Rite event, coming with Version 6.3 (Luna IV), is a landmark celebration that combines the ancient celestial mythology with some of the most generous rewards in the game’s history. Whether it is the introduction of the White Horse Adeptus, Zibai, or the cumulative 20 free premium pulls, this hub has a complete guide for every Traveler.
The official details, including high-resolution artwork and developer notes for the entire festival, are available in the Official Event Announcement.
Event Schedule and Requirements
The event is divided into various stages to keep the players engaged throughout the 24-day period of the festival.
- Event Period: January 30, 2026 – February 23, 2026.
- Adventure Rank: 20 or above.
- Required Quest: Prologue: Act III “Song of the Dragon and Freedom.”
- Recommended Quest: In order to have the best narrative context, it is recommended that the player complete the Archon Quest Act VIII “True Moon” before commencing the event quests.
In contrast to most other events, the narrative quest for the upcoming Lantern Rite event will be available on a permanent basis in the “Quest Overview – Event Quests” tab, even after the completion of the festival.
The Legend of Zibai: Narrative Depth
This year’s theme focuses on Zibai, also known as the Gold-Eyed Celadon Mare. Legend describes her as an Angel and a “daughter” of Istaroth, who was imprisoned by the Heavenly Principles for helping mortals during a primordial calamity. The festival story follows the Traveler’s quest to unify Zibai’s Three Deadly Selves, Ziju, Zizhi, and Ziqiao, to prevent her essence from perishing as her celestial prison collapses.
For a complete and in-depth look at all new content arriving in the entire game version, including character banners and weapon details, see the Full Patch Details.
Mini-Game Breakdown and Strategies
The 2026 festival offers like 4 major gameplay modes, and then each of which produces a distinct currency: there are Fortune Coins (for the shop) and also even Charm Coins/Wishes (for mode-specific upgrades).
1. Vigorous Brushstrokes (2D Platformer)
This mode tests your agility in a side-scrolling format where characters are in a state of constant movement.
- Mechanic: Use Elemental Skills to collect Jade and destroy obstacles like Great Zhanzhu Lanterns.
- Trial Characters: Stage I utilizes Mualani for water traversal, while Stage II features Varesa for high-speed mountain dashing.
- Pro Tip: Cooldowns are significantly reduced. Spam your dash skills to reach the 4,500-point threshold for maximum rewards.
2. Wishes Contended, Fortunes Won (Combat Trial)
A time-trial arena where you collect Charm Coins from defeated enemies.
- Mechanic: The Prosperity Pouch automatically gathers coins and can be upgraded twice during the round to increase drop rates.
- Reaction Focus: The “Radiant Bloom” phase has a strong buff to Lunar-Bloom damage. This reaction will increase the party’s Elemental Mastery by 30 (up to 3 times) and give a 40% damage bonus to Dendro and Hydro.
3. The Moonlit Adeptus’s Trail (Boss Rush)
A narrative combat mode where you battle Zhanzhus, toad-like demons that devour the moon.
- Enhancements: Collect “Wishes” during rounds to buy permanent buffs in the Cultivation and Techniques menus.
- Key Upgrade: The Celadon Mare Transformation allows you to become immune to damage and inflict massive collision damage.
- Strategy: Utilize the “Long Game Buff,” which increases Wishes gained by 10% for every 10 seconds you stay active on the field.
4. Bright Moon, Lantern Glow (Exploration)
This artisanal mode involves placing personalized lanterns throughout Liyue and finding Auspicious Treasure Trees.
- Task: You can design and release up to 50 lanterns.
- Currency Hunt: Locate the 21 golden trees to earn a total of 840 Fortune Coins.
All 21 Auspicious Treasure Tree Locations
Collecting these trees is the fastest way to earn Fortune Coins for the event shop. Use Elemental Sight to make them glow golden.
A complete, step-by-step breakdown of all four mini-games, including optimal routes for the Treasure Trees, can be found in the Complete Gameplay Guide.
| Area | Landmark Locations | Tree Numbers |
| Central Harbor | Bulletin Board, NPC Xiuhua, Granny Shan’s Toy Store, Adventurer’s Guild | 1 – 8 |
| Northern Section | Yangshang Teahouse, Bubu Pharmacy Pool, Madame Ping’s stairs | 9 – 15 |
| Wharf & Docks | Ship docks, bamboo boats, pier platforms | 16 – 21 |
Speed Strategy: By following an optimized route through these locations on Day 1, you can accumulate enough coins to unlock the free Yaoyao outfit in under 15 minutes.
Rewards and The 4-Star Character Selector
The centerpiece of the rewards is the “Words to a Good Friend” character selector, unlocked at 1,200 Festive Fever points.
Selector Options (11 Characters):
- S-Tier (Universal Value): Xingqiu (off-field Hydro application) and Xiangling (core Pyro sub-DPS). Veteran players should prioritize reaching Xingqiu’s C6 or Xiangling’s C4.
- A-Tier (Modern Power): Gaming (premier plunge DPS) and Lan Yan (new Anemo shielder/EM buffer).
- Utility Picks: Yaoyao (Dendro healer), Beidou (Electro application), and Yun Jin (Normal Attack buffer).
Total Pull Calculations:
- “May Fortune Find You” Login: 10 Intertwined Fates.
- “Serene Moonlit Nights” Mail: 1,600 Primogems (delivered between Jan 30 and Feb 3).
- Event Total: Through completing quests and playing mini-games, a total of over 4,300-4,400 Primogems can be acquired.
Exclusive Cosmetics:
- Yaoyao “Rainlit Bamboo Reverie”: Available for 1,000 Fortune Coins. It will require 1,680 Genesis Crystals after Version 6.
- Traveler Outfits: Completing the “True Moon” Archon Quest awards element-specific buffed outfits for Aether and Lumine.
- Neuvillette “Melusent Gift”: A super cool and premium 5-star skin available at a discount (1,350 Genesis Crystals) featuring red lightning effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I unlock Yaoyao’s outfit without playing the mini-games?
A: Yes. You can unlock it solely through Fortune Coins obtained from the 21 Auspicious Treasure Trees and the opening event quest in about 15 minutes.
Q2: What happens if I miss the character selector deadline?
A: The selector is a limited-time reward that very quickly passes and ends on February 23, 2026. You must reach 1,200 Festive Fever points and claim your character before the event shop closes.
Q3: Are there any web events for additional rewards?
A: Yes, the “Hilichurls’ Machine Workshop” and “Where the Moon Returns” web events offer Primogems and exclusive avatar frames.
Q4: Is there a new 4-star character this year?
A: While Lan Yan is featured, the new character for Version 6.3 is Illuga (a Geo Polearm from Natlan). Note that Illuga is not included in the Liyue-only character selector.
Q5: What is the main narrative focus of this year’s Lantern Rite?
A: The festival’s story focuses on Zibai, the Gold-Eyed Celadon Mare, and the Traveler’s quest to unify her Three Deadly Selves to prevent her essence from perishing.
Q6: Is there a recommended quest to complete before starting the event?
A: Yes, it is highly recommended to complete Archon Quest Act VIII: “True Moon” to fully appreciate the narrative context and lore before you begin the Lantern Rite event questline.
Gear Up for the Silver Moon
As the lanterns rise and the silver moon shines over Liyue Harbor, the 2026 festival stands as a definitive milestone for both deep lore and player progression. From mastering specialized “Lunar-Bloom” reactions to meticulously selecting your free 4-star constellation, there has never been a better time to strengthen your account.
If you are a new player trying to skip the grind in the early game or an experienced player wanting a head start with a full roster of Zibai or Columbina, you can buy Genshin accounts from reputable marketplaces such as U7BUY. Moreover, to make sure that you do not miss the Neuvillette limited skin or the current signature weapon banners, a quick Genshin Impact top up of Genesis Crystals is the most efficient means of getting your rewards. Enjoy the 2026 Lantern Rite, and may your luck be as bright as the moon itself!
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- Genshin Illuga Build: First Look at a Geo Specialist
Galen is a simple gaming enthusiast who enjoys exploring all kinds of games and writing about them as a hobby. He’s naturally curious and likes trying different genres, from competitive and multiplayer games to more casual and experimental titles.
Galen approaches gaming with an open mind and believes there’s always something new to learn, no matter the genre. His writing reflects that curiosity, focusing on honest observations, practical insights, and making game-related information easier to digest for everyone.