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Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 Guide: Release Date, Rewards & Free Character List
2026-01-06
Lantern Rite is Genshin Impact's annual in-game festival celebrated in Liyue and coincides with the Lunar New Year. This event releases countless Xiao Lanterns into the sky to guide the heroes' souls of a bygone era to their homes.
Today, Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 has evolved into a grand seasonal celebration. It offers limited-time story quests, festive mini-games, generous Primogem rewards, free character skins, and exclusive event mechanics. Stick with this guide to learn all about the Lantern Rite 2026 release date, along with event activities, rewards, and more.
Pro Tip: Top up Genshin Impact from BuffBuff to make the most of Lantern Rite 2026.
Lantern Rite 2026 Release Date
Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 is expected to arrive during Version 6.3, from January 7 to February 17, 2026. The official dates are still not clear, but players can expect the beginning of the main festivities from January 25th.
One source has anticipated the festival period to be from February 11 to February 27, 2026. This season is going to feature themed events, celebratory quests, mini-games, and more to coincide with the Lunar New Year. In short, it is turning into an important Genshin Impact 2026 Lunar New Year event.
Lantern Rite 2026 Characters and Skins
Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 is coming with character appearances and exclusive skins to make the festival more rewarding for collectors and longtime players.
Lantern Rite Characters
According to current information, Columbina and Zibai are expected to release around Lantern Rite. More details can be found in our Genshin 6.3 "Luna IV" banner leaks guide, and Genshin Impact 6.3 & 6.4 Leaks.
Character Gathering
Following the Lantern-Lit Gathering 2025, Version 6.3's Lantern Rite in 2026 is also expected to feature a four-star character selection.
The Version "Luna IV" "Events Calendar" is now available!
Click to check out version benefits in real-time.
*Event times shown in the calendar are in UTC+8. Please check in-game notices for event details and schedules.
Lantern Rite 2026 Skins
Neuvillette 5★ Premium Skin
A major highlight drawing attention is Neuvillette's rumored five-star premium outfit, which could feature an elegant white, gray, and gold color palette. The skin is said to overhaul his visual effects and replace his iconic blue Hydro beams with red lightning effects that give him an anime protagonist presence. Since it is going to be a five-star cosmetic, it is expected to be priced in line with other premium skins.
4★ Skin
Chongyun is set to receive his four-star skin, which may make its debut during Lantern Rite. Reports also indicate that Yaoyao could receive a winter outfit as part of the event.
Free 4★ Skin via Event Completion
Players could also earn a free four-star skin through participation in Lantern Rite event content. Traditionally, Lantern Rite rewards players for engagement and progression rather than challenging combat to emphasize celebration and festival activities.
Lantern Rite 2026 Rewards
If we look at past Lantern Rite events, we can see generous rewards. For example, in version 5.3, players received 10 Intertwined Fates from login and 10 from the mail event.
The expectations for Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 rewards are also high. The rewards are expected to follow a familiar pattern:
- Over 1,000 Primogems from completing event quests and mainline activities.
- Festive Fever milestones offering Hero’s Wit, Mora, ascension materials, and enhancement ores.
The leaks also mention that the tradition of selecting a free four-star character will continue during the 2026 Lantern Rite Festival.
Furthermore, the image below further illustrates the expected rewards for version 6.3. It can help you estimate how many resources you will earn and track what you might still be missing.
Lantern Rite Events and NPCs Leak
Events
Scenes & NPCs
Scenes & NPCs
We may also see a quirky outfit resembling a cactus, which feels funny yet is packed with festive charm.
*Pictures are from the Reddit leak
Conclusion
Genshin Impact Lantern Rite 2026 is a spectacular Lunar New Year celebration with rich festival traditions and exciting in-game rewards. This event offers something for every player, including limited-time story quests, mini-games, exclusive character skins, generous Primogems, and more. So, make sure to follow the event closely so you don’t miss out on any rewards or special content.
Don't forget to explore BuffBuff to top up Genshin Impact at the best rates and secure your Primogems conveniently for all your Lantern Rite 2026 wishes.
