After the heaven and earth lanterns have been set up, at 7 p.m. Daoist priests burn incense, beat drums, set up the altar space and play sacred music. They burn sacrificial documents at the main altar to the Jade Emperor to announce the formal commencement of this year's rites.
天燈、地燈豎立完成之後，道士在晚上 7 時焚香引鼓、開壇奏樂，在主普壇內焚燒文疏給天庭玉皇上帝，稟告今年頭城中元祭典正式登場。