Shining brightly: Water Lantern Festival returns to Laurelhurst Park

A warm glow of light reflecting off the calm waters of Portland’s Laurelhurst Park offer calmness, hope and a sense of community.

In short, it is exactly what organizers hope as this year’s third annual Water Lantern Festival gets ready to kick off. This year’s release of thousands of personalized glowing lanterns will be part of the event on June 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the park.

“Our festival is more than just an event; it’s a tradition that brings the community together,” said Nate Sorensen, event director. “We look forward to welcoming attendees for a night of inspiration and the breathtaking sight of thousands of lanterns lighting the water.”

As always, the festival will showcase a diverse array of vendors, food trucks, and talented musicians from the local community and has established itself as a local tradition.

Throughout the event, attendees will be able to enjoy various activities such as yard games and a scavenger hunt. The festival will also feature “lantern stories,” a unique experience inviting attendees to share inspiring personal stories and dedicate their lanterns to loved ones.

“It was such an incredible experience. I am so grateful I got to attend,” said Christy, an event guest last year, “When you see all the lanterns out on the water there is a moment where you feel your heart just fill with so much love it’s indescribable.”

Beyond the magic of the vibe the event evokes, the Water Lantern Festival is committed to environmental responsibility. The crew’s thorough post-event clean-up will ensure that Laurelhurst Park is left in a pristine condition, preserving its natural beauty for all to enjoy.

Tickets for the Water Lantern Festival can be purchased at WaterLanternFestival.com .

Each adult ticket includes:

Wristband for entry into the festival area with access to food trucksFloating lantern kitLED candleCommemorative drawstring bagConversation cardsPlaying cardsMarkerLantern retrieval and water clean-up

Gates open at 6 p.m. with food trucks, music and more going on until 10 p.m. Lantern design begins at 8:30 p.m. with the lantern launch from 9 to 10 p.m. Laurelhurst Park is at Southeast Cesar Chavez Boulevard and Stark Street.

About Water Lantern Festival

Dedicated to uniting communities, the Water Lantern Festival creates magical moments that bring together people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

With a seasoned team of event production experts, who have successfully organized hundreds of events worldwide since 2018, Water Lantern Festivals have touched the hearts of communities in over 100 cities. Committed to the environment, they prioritize the preservation and clean-up of event locations.

The Water Lantern Festival is partnered with water.org to help provide safe water to millions of people around the world.