Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade: A night of community and creativity

You can catch a rare sighting of a parliament of owls in the skies over Midtown on Saturday, August 3. Experience an elegantly weird and spooky evening, as owl lanterns light the night sky and music fills the air during the 2024 Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade.

When birds flock together, their groups are identified with quirky phrases. Crows flock as ‘a murder.’ Sparrows group together as ‘a host.’ And owls gather as ‘a parliament,’ coined in reference to owls’ reputation as wise and intelligent animals.

The Parliament of Owls Lantern Parade is a black-and-white-themed lantern parade, created by local artist, Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, and presented by Midtown Alliance. This whimsical event invites the community to dress in black and white attire, invent your own owl lantern and march alongside the Krewe and the Black Sheep Ensemble brass band through the streets of Midtown.

Owl lanterns, a brass band and a whole lot of fun.

Rytter and her Krewe have founded several other local public lantern parades including the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, City of Sandy Springs Lantern Parade, Parade of the Dead in Little Five Points and the Gnome March in the Inman Park Parade. They are community parade artists that hope to create platforms for creative play in public spaces.

“Parades are where the community sees itself and that is where we come to love our cities,” Rytter said.

Each year in Midtown, the Krewe marches behind the Black Sheep Ensemble, puppeteering handmade illuminated owl lanterns. As the parade steps off from Colony Square at Peachtree and 14th Streets, all owl lanterns will fly behind the Black Sheep Ensemble – an Atlanta-based brass and percussion band that have been leading the way for the parade since it started in 2018.

Parliament of Owls allows Midtown to showcase its vibrant artistry uniting residents and visitors in a shared celebration of community pride and city love. With music, dancing and fun, the parade is sure to create unique memories with your neighbors.

Midtown is renowned as Atlanta’s heart of the arts. Midtown Alliance is committed to collaborating with arts and commercial partners to foster community in outdoor, public spaces, and this parade is just one example of their support.

“When you support artists in your neighborhood, you get art in your neighborhood,” Rytter said.

2024 Parliament of Owls schedule & route

The parade begins and ends at Colony Square. Parade goers will continue on an easy 1.2 mile loop through Midtown, passing through the new Midtown Art Walk and up Peachtree Street.

Before the owls start flocking, shop and dine at one of the 200+ restaurants in Midtown. Plan your night by exploring our interactive map here .

• 8 p.m. – Owls flock in the Plaza at Colony Square
• 9 p.m. – Owls take flight and start marching from Colony Square
• 9:45 p.m. – Owls return to the Plaza at Colony Square and enjoy music from the Black Sheep Ensemble until 10 p.m.

BYOO – bring your own owl.

All are invited to ‘fly’ through the streets of Midtown during the parade. If you’re interested in marching in the parade, be sure to wear black and white attire and bring your own owl lantern.

To create your own masterpiece and display it in the parade, you can attend an Owl Lantern Making Workshop on The Patio at Colony Square on July 31 and August 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Additionally, beginning on July 26 at noon, owl lantern kits will be available for purchase at Shep’s Midtown Ace Hardware .

For those who prefer a DIY approach, free downloadable templates are available to make your own owl lantern or mask at home here .

Whether you plan on walking with your owl lantern or watching from the streets, this event is sure to be a hoot. Plan on coming? Help Midtown Alliance prepare by RSVPing with some basic info in less than 60 seconds here .

“When we see each other having a great time together in a public space, it connects us. We have a shared experience,” Rytter said.

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