Water Lantern Festival

Name: Water Lantern Festival
Start: 2025-03-10T06:00:00+11:00
End: 2025-03-09

Arriving for the first time in Australia (with the very first event in Kogarah Bay) is the Water Lantern Festival:

In Sydney this Saturday, March 8 and Sunday March 9

The globally celebrated Water Lantern Festival is making its highly anticipated debut in Australia, bringing an evening of unity, hope, and reflection.

The first Water Lantern Festival event is taking place in Carss Bush Park, in Kogarah Bay, Sydney, on Saturday, March 8, and Sunday, March 9, 2025 – with events across Newcastle, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Melbourne slated between March and June 2025.

Since 2018, Water Lantern Festival has captivated hearts worldwide, hosting nearly 500 events and welcoming over 1.4 million attendees. Now, Australians will have the chance to experience the magic firsthand, as thousands of personalised glowing lanterns light up the water, carrying messages of love, healing, happiness, and connection.

Beyond the breathtaking visual spectacle, the Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of community spirit. Attendees can explore a vibrant selection of local vendors, food trucks, and talented musicians, making for a truly immersive cultural experience.

A unique highlight of the festival is “Lantern Stories,” a deeply personal and emotional segment where participants are invited to share the meaning behind their lanterns. “Thirty minutes before the lantern launch, we invite participants to take the stage and share their stories if they would like. It’s a powerful and moving experience,” Schmeil added.

Schedule times for both the Saturday and Sunday Sydney events are: arrival time between 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, with arrival before 7:00 PM essential. From 7:00 to 7:30 PM, “Lantern Stories”, meditation, and launch instructions will take place. Between 7:30 to 8:30 PM is the lantern launch window. The event ends at 8:30 PM.