Hey, Atlanta! Can you believe it’s been ten 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, September 21, 2019, you can grab your lantern and head to the BeltLine, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of this homegrown event.
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 an estimated 70,000 people in spectators and participants.
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. Hint: grab a spot on one of the patios or rooftop bars that line the BeltLine these days. New Realm Brewing and LadyBird come to mind.
The parade line-up begins at 7 p.m. where the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail crosses Irwin Avenue. Lantern-bearers will set off at 8 p.m., following a two-mile route northward along the BeltLine to end at Piedmont Park.
There will be an after-party event at Park Tavern, at the end of the parade route.
For more information
There will be a number of bands leading the parade. These include:
Lantern Parade rules for participants
Know before you go!
- You need a lantern to walk in the parade
- 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.
Lantern-making workshops
From simple globe lanterns to illuminated parasols and glowing top hats — find a workshop that works for you. You can register for any of these through Eventbrite. Just click through for tickets and event details.
Thursday, September 12th
- Globe Lantern Workshop, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- $30 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at New Realm Brewery (55o Somerset Terrace, along the Beltline)
- This is an adults only event
- Register through Eventbrite ($3.46 fee)
Saturday, September 14th
- Globe Lantern Workshop, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- $30 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at the Atlanta BeltLine Visitor Center (112 Krog St.)
- Register through Eventbrite ($3.46 fee)
Saturday, September 14th
- Illuminated Parasol Workshop, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- $35 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at the Atlanta BeltLine Visitor Center (112 Krog St.)
- Register through Eventbrite ($3.77 fee)
Sunday, September 15th
- Globe Lantern Workshop, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- $30 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at the Atlanta BeltLine Visitor Center (112 Krog St.)
- Register through Eventbrite ($3.46 fee)
Sunday, September 15th
- Illuminated Parasol Workshop, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- $35 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at the Atlanta BeltLine Visitor Center (112 Krog St.)
- Register through Eventbrite ($3.77 fee)
Tuesday, September 17th
- Lantern Hat Workshop, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- $35 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at New Realm Brewery (55o Somerset Terrace, along the Beltline
- Register for Lantern Hats through Eventbrite ($3.77 fee)
Wednesday, September 18th
- Globe Lantern Workshop, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- $30 covers registration and supplies
- Workshop takes place at Hillside (1301 Monroe Drive)
- Register for Globe Lantern Workshop through Eventbrite ($3.46 fee)
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