Need to make a lantern? See the free and cheap workshops listed below.
Hey, Atlanta! Can you believe it’s been over 15 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 26, 2026, you can grab your lantern and head to the BeltLine’s Southwest Trail to revive the tradition.
NOTE: This date is rescheduled from the 19th, when thunderstorms caused the parade to be postponed.
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
NOTE:
At the time of writing, we’re uncertain whether the activities below will happen on the new rain date of Saturday, Sept. 26.
Stay tuned, and we’ll try to update.
Procrastination Station lantern making
Make a last-minute lantern at this FREE event on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Supplies are limited and the event is first-come, first-served.
It takes place along the parade route at 825 Warner Street. You’ll be able to jump right into the parade with your last-minute lantern.
More info
For kids: lantern making and an early parade
There’s a huge “pre-game” event at Pittsburgh Yards from noon to 7 p.m. on Sept. 19th. This includes a lantern making station and a mini lantern parade for kids.
12 pm — Lantern making station opens
4:15 pm — Kids parade line-up
4:30 pm — Kids parade steps off
5 – 7 pm — Kids DJ performances, games, hula hoop contest, more.
Pittsburgh Yards is located at:
352 University Ave. SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
BeltLine Lantern Parade details
To walk in the parade, you must have a lantern — and please see the rules for participating, below.
Anyone can be a spectator!
The parade line-up begins at 7:15 p.m. at Beulah Colbert Park (866 Murphy Ave).
The parade will step off at 8:00 p.m. sharp, heading from the park to the Westside Trail, and then on to Lee + White!
This is an extended route that takes the parade through local streets before turning on to the BeltLine.
Parking is limited near the BeltLine.
If you ride your bike in, there will be a free bike valet at Lee + White.
There is also a free shuttle running — info here (scroll down the page).
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!
For more information:
Go to the Lantern Parade web page
Make a lantern at a workshop or at home
There are several cheap lantern workshops listed on Eventbrite in the $20 range (some are higher).
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.
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 very likely find parking at Pittsburgh Yards.
If you’d like to take MARTA, the closest station is West End Station.
