Hey, Atlanta! Can you believe it’s been 13 years since the very first lantern parade, the one that started them all? Well, it’s time to light up the night again.
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, you can grab your lantern and head to the BeltLine’s Westside Trail to revive the tradition.
The idea is to create a two-mile river of light that can probably be seen from outer space! While the first lantern parade drew about 400 participants, this year is estimated to bring out many thousands of participants and spectators.
Everyone is invited to walk in the Lantern Parade — but the rule is that you need a lantern to do so. You can buy a lantern-making kit at party stores, come up with your own design, or participate in one of the lantern-making workshops listed below. No candles please — you’ll need battery-0perated LED lights, for safety.
Don’t want to march in the parade?
Then you’re invited to watch from the sidelines.
Google map of the parade route and surrounding area
BeltLine Lantern Parade details
There’s a huge “pre-game” event at Pittsburgh Yards from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. — including a lantern making workshop and a mini lantern parade for kids.
The parade line-up begins at 8 p.m. in Adair Park, at Catherine Street.
The parade will step off at 8:45 p.m. sharp, heading from Adair Park to the Westside Trail, and then on to Lee + White!
For more information:
View the parade route
Go to the Lantern Parade web page
Schedule of events
Noon to 7 p.m.
FREE family lantern making at Pittsburgh Community Market
More info
5:45 p.m.
Children’s lantern parade begins at Pittsburgh Yards
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Pre-parade activities at Adair park
8 p.m.
Parade line up begins.
8:45 p.m.
Parade steps off.
9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
After Party at Lee + White
Lantern Parade rules for participants
Know before you go!
- You need a lantern to walk in the parade
- Walk slowly. No passing allowed
- If you need to stop, you must step off to the side
- Do not walk against the flow of the parade
- Yield generous space to bands and large lanterns
- Leave your pets at home
- Walk your bike or scooter
- No flying lanterns allowed
- Take your trash with you
- Have a blast!
Getting there
Clearly, there is limited parking in the area. If you can, please plan to walk, bike, scoot, or rideshare to the parade.
If you drive, you can find paid parking at Ponce City Market, and then walk down the Beltline for 20 minutes or so to the parade starting point at Irwin Avenue.
If you’d like to take MARTA, the closest station is Inman Park Station.
View the MARTA Guide to the BeltLine Lantern Parade.
Make a lantern
All through May, there are lantern-making workshops for kids and adults — and you can see the schedule online. They all require advance registration and cost between $25 and $35.
Want to make a lantern at home? There are lots of ideas and patterns available on the web. Plan to use battery-powered LED lights that don’t get hot. Candles are taboo.
In a pinch, you can buy a battery operated globe lantern on Amazon (affiliate link).
Amazon also offers a string-art, star-shaped lantern kit complete with lights that suitable for kids to make.
Atlanta BeltLine Westside Trail
