Water Lantern Festival is heading to Melbourne for a three-day event from 30 May to 1 June following a successful Australian debut in Sydney earlier this year.
The globally celebrated Water Lantern Festival made its Australian debut with the inaugural event held over a March weekend at Carss Bush Park in Kogarah Bay, attracting more than 5000 attendees. It then went on to Newcastle at Speers Park, Bonython Park, in Adelaide, Evandale Parklands, in Surfers Paradise, and at Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Brisbane.
Now, The Water Lantern Festival is set to take place at Queens Park, Moonee Ponds, on from Friday 30 to Sunday, 1 June, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
Since 2018, the Water Lantern Festival has captivated hearts worldwide, hosting nearly 500 events and welcoming over 1.4 million attendees.
Australians have now had the chance to experience this magic firsthand, with thousands of personalised glowing lanterns lighting up the water, all carrying messages of love, healing, happiness, and connection.
Beyond the breathtaking visual spectacle, the Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of community spirit, which was exemplified across the two nights of the Water Lantern Festival in Sydney.
Attendees explored a vibrant selection of local vendors, food trucks, Water Lantern Festival-branded merchandise, and talented local musicians; which made for a truly immersive cultural experience.
The “Lantern Stories” was an emotional part of the evening with kids, mums and dads, groups of friends, and couples sharing their personal stories and the meaning behind the deeply personal words they wrote on their lanterns, with attendees. These stories added a beautiful layer of connectedness, ahead of launching the water lanterns onto the water at dusk.
“Being part of the Water Lantern Festival in Sydney was an unforgettable experience,” Water Lantern Festival CEO, Burke McArthur, said.
“The energy from the local vendors, local musicians and festival-style food trucks created a vibrant celebration of culture that drew everyone in. Combined with the heartfelt lantern stories and the glow of thousands of lanterns on Kogarah Bay, it was a powerful reminder of how shared moments can unite a community in hope and joy.”
“It’s a great opportunity to go into a different market and see if Aussies share the same passion and excitement for the Water Lantern Festival that attendees do across the US and Canada,” Water Lantern Festival event coordinator, Bridger Thomas, said.
“One thing that drives us is making a difference. We want it to be something that people look forward to attending – to enjoy the event and to participate in something so special.”
“We are thrilled to bring the Water Lantern Festival to the beautiful Queens Park, Moonee Ponds,” Water Lantern Festival CMO, Dallin Watts, said.
“This is a chance for Melbourne residents and visitors to experience something truly magical – an evening for the community to come together, light up Queens Park with beautiful lanterns, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Following its global success and sensational debut in Sydney, we’re excited to share this one-of-a-kind celebration with Melbourne and its surrounds. We invite everyone across the region and beyond to grab their tickets and join us for a night of wonder, connection, and local pride. Don’t miss out on being part of this unforgettable event!”
The Water Lantern Festival is committed to sustainability and ensures that each event is environmentally responsible. With a strict cleanup protocol, every lantern is collected, leaving the event space even more beautiful than it was found. The lights used in the lanterns are fully recyclable, reinforcing the festival’s dedication to environmental consciousness.
The lanterns are made from wood and rice paper, making them as sustainable as possible. Participants are encouraged to decorate their lanterns with messages of empowerment, remembrance, and connection, and in doing so, creating a unique lantern honouring their experience, setting it afloat is a visually beautiful experience.
Water Lantern Festival is proud to support Water.org to help change this. Access to safe water improves health, empowers women, enables access to education, increases family income and changes lives. Water.org has transformed millions of lives around the world. Together, the Water Lantern Festival is committed to change even more. QR codes are available at each event to learn more and donate to the cause.
