Houston’s Lantern Festivals: What You Need to Know

Planning to attend one of Houston’s fantastic lantern festivals? We’ve got you covered!
We’ve got all the details you need to know before attending, from where and when the events occur to tips on preparing and what to expect.
What do I need to know about Houston’s lantern festivals?
Houston has two annual lantern festivals, the Houston Water Lantern Festival, and the Lyte Sky Lantern Festival.
The most popular is the Water Lantern Festival, held this year at City Place Plaza on May 27. The Lyte Sky Lantern Plaza will be on July 15, but the location has yet to be announced.
Water Lantern Festival When: Saturday, May 27, 2023 Time: 5:30pm-9:30pm Where: City Place Plaza 1250 Lake Plaza DrSpring, TX Price: $26.98 to $55.99 | Lyte Sky Lantern Festival When: Saturday, July 15th, 2023 Time: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Where: Not announced yet Price: – General Admission – $35 – Kids Admission – $25 – Parking Pass – $20 – Ticket Protection – $12.50 |
We go to the Water Lantern Festival every year and decorate a paper lantern to our heart’s content. You can do the same with your lantern by adding drawings or messages of hope, love, or peace.
Once the sun sets, everyone releases their lanterns into the water, creating a stunning display of lights.
On the other hand, the Lyte Sky Lantern Festival uses eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable sky lanterns made from rice paper, bamboo rings, natural fiber string, and a wax cake fuel cell.
When you purchase your ticket, you automatically get your lantern and are free to light it alongside everyone else and let it rise into the sky.
What to Expect at Houston’s Lantern Festivals
Here are some tips on what to expect when you go to either lantern festival in Houston.
- Obviously, thousands of lanterns! The festivals are centered around releasing lanterns creating a magical sight to see.
- Both festivals will have live music and entertainment. So be ready to dance the night away after letting your lantern go!
- No need to bring food—they’ll have it for you. Every year, the food and drinks change at the lantern festivals, but from what we can remember, the food we had last year was good.
- You’ll have a chance to reflect on your life and make wishes for the future. As you release your lantern into the water or the sky, take a moment to think about what you are grateful for and what you hope to achieve in the future.
How to Prepare for Houston’s Lantern Festivals
Here are some tips to help you prepare for the lantern festival you’re attending.
- Purchase your tickets in advance. Tickets for the lantern festivals can sell out quickly, so purchasing them in advance is a good idea.
- Arrive early. The festivals can get crowded, so it is a good idea to arrive early to get a good spot.
- Bring a chair or blanket to sit on. There may be limited seating at the festival, so bringing your own chair or blanket may be a good idea, depending on the location.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing for quite a bit among the crowds while waiting to release your lantern, so to avoid blisters, wear comfy shoes.
- Bring a camera. Capturing the lanterns in the sky or floating away makes for some awesome pictures you can post later on your social media.
- Be respectful of other guests. The lantern festivals are family-friendly events, so be respectful of other guests.