Get your lanterns ready for the Sandy Springs 2026 Take it to the River Lantern Parade!
This community event takes place on Saturday, May 9, 2026 — which gives you a bit of time to pick up a lantern kit and customize your lantern.
Everyone is welcome to walk in the parade, which kicks off at Sandy Springs Police Headquarters and Municipal Court Complex, located at 620 Morgan Falls Road. NOTE that this is not the City Springs district.
The parade steps off at 8:15 p.m.
Line up begins at 8 p.m.
Come early for pre-parade parade activities in a NEW location at the Sandy Springs Municipal Complex in 2026.
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can enjoy food trucks, entertainment, and children’s activities — details below.
Visit the Facebook event page
If you don’t want to march with the parade, you can watch from a spot on the parade, anywhere along Morgan Falls Road.
Parking & shuttle info just below — and the info is new in 2025, so please know where to park!
Pre-Parade Block Party
Before the parade begins, families gather to eat, dance, and have fun!
Before the sun sets, you can enjoy a live DJ and food trucks, at the Sandy Springs Municipal Complex.
Pre-parade activities begin at 6:00 p.m. and continue until parade step off at 8:15 p.m.
There will also be a balloon artist, bubble station, and a dance performance.
More info on Block Party
Parking & shuttles
All vehicles must park at the designated lot, which is yet to be announced.
- All vehicles must park at 7840 Roswell Road
- Walk (or ride the shuttle) to the Pre-Parade Party. The walk from Parking to the Pre-Parade Party is about 10 minutes (0.4 miles) along a flat sidewalk
- Even if you are watching the parade, you will need to walk (or ride the shuttle) to the Party. From there, walk along Morgan Falls Road to find a viewing location.
- Shuttles run between Parking and the Pre-Parade Party until parade line-up (6 – 8 pm).
- Parade steps-off at the Pre-Parade Party (Sandy Springs Municipal Complex), walks along Morgan Falls Rd, and ends at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The parade route is 1 mile, downhill. Parade line-up is at 8 pm, and step-off is at 8:30 pm.
- After the parade, shuttles only run from Overlook Park back to Parking (9-11pm). Staying for the parade? Plan to walk to Overlook Park or back to Parking.
- If you choose to walk from Overlook Park back to Parking (7840 Roswell Rd), you’ll get your steps in! It is 1.5 miles back, uphill. However, there is sidewalk and streetlights throughout the entire route.
Make a lantern
Pick up a lantern kit, download a free lantern template, or design your own. There are lots of easy lantern-making ideas and free downloadable lantern prints at Chantelle’s Lantern Ideas & Inspiration page!
Note that only LED battery powered lights are allowed — no flames.
Lantern kits are available for purchase from $15 to $25 — find info here.
OR sign up for a lantern making workshop.
Pre-registration is required:
- Saturday, May 2 @ 11am – 2pm – Illuminated Parasol
- Saturday, May 2 @ 3pm – 6pm – Everybody Lantern Puppet
- Sunday, May 3 @ 11am – 2pm – Illuminated Parasol
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