The Butterfly Lantern Parade takes place in downtown Hapeville on Saturday, March 21, 2026. It is FREE to attend, and free to participate in with your own lantern.
The event is happening at Samuel Hape Plaza, (formerly known as Dearborn Plaza) located at:
573 N. Central Ave.
Hapeville, GA 30354
From 5 to 10 p.m., you can enjoy local crafts vendors, great food, face painting, and the Creation Station.
After the parade, the festival will continue till about 10 p.m.
The parade begins at 8:10 p.m. in the park.
If you’d like to walk in the parade, you’ll need some sort of illuminated butterfly-themed object.
Following the parade, there will be live music and photo opps.
You’ll find ideas for quick homemade lanterns online — just remember to incorporate the butterfly theme! You can also visit dollar stores and craft stores for LED paper lanterns that you can decorate with butterfly cutouts, or battery-operated fairy lights.
The dress code for parade participants is festive spring attire. And if you have a set of wings to wear on your back, please go for it!
The parade route is just a mile long, and will take about 30 minutes walking at a slow pace.
Sign up for a lantern making workshop
Register online here for an event below.
Illuminated Flower Workshop
Sunday, March 8
12:00pm–4:00pm | $35
Christ Church – 680 S Central Ave.
Family Butterfly Lantern Puppet Workshop
Saturday, March 14
1:00pm–4:00pm | $20
Christ Church – 680 S Central Ave.
Family Butterfly Lantern Puppet Workshop
Sunday, March 15
1:00pm–4:00pm | $20
Christ Church – 680 S Central Ave.
Adults-Only Butterfly Lantern Puppet Workshop
Wednesday, March 18
6:00pm–9:00pm | $20
Christ Church – 680 S Central Ave.
NEW Adults-Only Print Lantern Workshop
Thursday, March 19
6:30pm–9:30pm | FREE (drop-in while supplies last, no registration required)
Atlanta Printmakers Studio – 748 Virginia Ave.
Adults-Only Butterfly Lantern Puppet Workshop
Friday, March 20
6:00pm–9:00pm | $20
Christ Church – 680 S Central Ave.
You may also be interested in:
- Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
- Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
- 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
- Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
- The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park
