A River of Light logo with the words the magic of lantern parade

Welcome to A River of Light

A celebration of art, light, community, and place.

Through our brief history and across every continent, we have made lanterns and lit luminaries to banish the shadows, celebrate our holy days, and brighten the darkest of nights. Lantern parade is a powerful vehicle that galvanizes people to create, play, and socialize together in a truly unique interface between art and community. Parades start traditions, build beautiful memories, and engage creativity, collaboration, and celebration at their core.

What can a lantern experience do for your community?

  1. Lantern workshops are fun and inspiring experiences that support skill building, problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.
  2. Lantern building is a low tech, high impact activity that encourages us to use our hands and imaginations.
  3. Participants leave with fully functional lanterns that illuminate our hearts and homes long after the parade has ended. 
  4. Workshop programs offer participants joyful opportunities for socializing and building community.
  5. Lantern parades invite us to reconnect with public spaces, celebrate our shared humanity, and let our inner light shine!

5 reasons to have a lantern parade!

  1. Celebrate a seasonal holiday (like winter, Halloween, summer solstice, or New Year)
  2. Bring the community together after a social challenge (unification of a school district or natural disaster recovery)
  3. Draw attention to an environmental issue (water conservation, healthy eating, or a tree planting ceremony)
  4. Build awareness of our public spaces (a park opening, a new bike path, or a community center)
  5. Create a fun and magical tradition that brings people together through the arts, and celebrate through light!

What’s next on the calendar?

A lantern shaped like a ship is illuminated against a midnight blue sky. In the background a net of LED lights stretches overhead.

Visit the Happenings page for news about upcoming workshops, trainings, and lantern parades.

Go to Happenings

Join our lantern community:

Subscribe to our newsletter to learn about lantern-building, parades, events, and upcoming workshop programs.

A line of illuminated lanterns stretches from left to right and the glow of a bonfire emerges from its center.
A lantern parade moves down the street towards the viewer. People hold alien, globe, and fish shaped lanterns
“Standing on Main Street, watching the parade pass by, I was struck by the incredible power of art and community, and how joyful all of us were on [this] special night. For a short time, we put aside our fears and fatigue and reveled in an expression of togetherness, art, and light. This event exemplifies the power of art in evoking the strength of the human spirit.”
Rep. Tom Stevens, Waterbury VT

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