随着时间的推移，元宵节的活动越来越多，不少地方节庆时增加了耍龙灯、耍狮子、踩高跷、划旱船扭秧歌、打太平鼓等传统民俗表演。这个传承已有两千多年的传统节日，不仅盛行于海峡两岸，就是在海外华人的聚居区也年年欢庆不衰。
元宵节也是一个浪漫的节日，元宵灯会在封建的传统社会中，也给未婚男女相识提供了一个机会，传统社会的年轻女孩不允许出外自由活动，但是过节却可以结伴出来游玩，元宵节赏花灯正好是一个交谊的机会，未婚男女借着赏花灯也顺便可以为自己物色对象。元宵灯节期间，又是男女青年与情人相会的时机。
今年元宵节，吃过晚饭，我们就去看花灯、焰火了。
七点刚过，我们就来到新市区看花灯，这里人山人海，花灯会种类繁多，设计新奇，造型各异，市政府前的整个街道火树银花，璀璨夺目，吸引了成千上万的人们前来观赏；有做生意的人早早来到摆好摊位，有的坐车从几十里路的农村赶来，还有的小孩骑在他爸爸脖子上，手拿着糖葫芦边吃边看。八点多钟，在市委大楼旁边一朵朵绽放的礼花腾空而起，哇！好美的夜空呀！只见深蓝色的天空布满了五彩斑斓的礼花，开放的礼花如一个个彩球，似一朵朵雪花，像一颗颗拖着彩带的流星，把漆黑的夜空照的如同白昼一样，把元宵之夜变得无比美丽，我简直
被迷住了。
一颗颗五彩的礼花腾空而起，礼花炸开以后，一朵朵纸花飘落下来，甚至有的纸花还带着一颗颗亮闪闪的东西，真像一颗颗彩色的流星；有的礼花炸开以后是双层的，接着变成动物形状了；有的炸开以后就像下起了流星雨，刷刷地往下落；还有的如同一道道彩色的金环，把天空变得光彩夺目，整个市区都沸腾了……
五彩的花灯被高高的挂在了半空中，闪着耀眼的光芒。美丽的花灯给这里增加了秀丽的色彩。这些造花灯的人手还真巧，什么羊形、龙形，拖拉机耕田形的……都能造出来，真了不起。
当我们看到一半时，我惊讶地叫了一声，因为在花灯里，这个是我见到的最有意思是：花灯里居然还有三只活羊，灯箱里还有一群小鸡，据介绍，它们是从国外引进的新品种呢！真让我佩服不已。有些大胆的人甚至还过去摸摸它，而那些羊只是晃晃脑袋，不时地抬起头“咩？咩？”地叫唤两声，然后又继续吃它的草，真是让人哭笑不得。
当我们往回走时，看到一群人在猜灯谜，其中有一个字谜是：天下人间会七星，我和爸爸妈妈猜了许多次也没猜中……
时间不知不觉已过去了三个多小时，但我们一点也没觉得累。
啊！今年的元宵节之夜真美呀！
the first day of the lunar new year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
on the second day, the chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. they are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
the third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
the fifth day is called po woo. on that day people stay home to welcome the god of wealth. no one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
on the sixth to the 10th day, the chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. they also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
the seventh day of the new year is the day for farmers to display their produce. these farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. the seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
on the eighth day the fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to tian gong, the god of heaven.
the ninth day is to make offerings to the jade emperor.
the 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. after so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
the 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the lantern festival which is to be held on the 15th night.
