Melburnians always get around illuminated attractions, from Lightscape to Puffing Billy's magical Train of Lights, our city is often glowing with enchanting sights. This year, a brand-new event will light up our city, with the arrival of the magic of the viral Water Lantern Festival this autumn.
Inspired by traditional lantern festivals in China, Thailand and Vietnam, the Water Lantern Festival is a mesmerising celebration of love, hope and community. Since its debut in 2018, it has enchanted more than 1 million people in the USA, and this year it will embark on its first-ever Aussie tour, coming to Melbourne on May 30, 31 and June 1.
Every ticket holder will receive a floating lantern, an LED light and a marker to personalise their lantern with messages of love, hope and dreams. As the sun sets, everyone will gently launch their lanterns onto the water, creating a sparkling sea of light. Sustainability is a top priority for the festival, with each lantern crafted from a rice paper cover and a wooden base. To further minimise its environmental footprint, the festival reuses and recycles LED candles wherever possible, while the event team ensures every lantern is collected after the event.
The lantern festival will also illuminate other major cities across Australia on its national tour, with events in Sydney on March 8 and 9, Newcastle on April 26, Adelaide on May 2, the Gold Coast on May 10, Brisbane on May 24 and 25.
You can buy a ticket to this magical event now, priced at $44. You can find out more and get tickets to the Water Lantern Festival in Melbourne on the website.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.