The Water Lantern Festival returns to the Richmond area on Saturday, August 22, bringing thousands of glowing lanterns to the water, along with live music, food and what looks like a pretty laid-back way to spend a summer evening.
You get a lantern and make it your own. Write a message, draw something, remember someone, make a wish, and generally put down, or lift up, something you’ve been carrying around. Then, as the sun goes down, everyone puts their lanterns on the water together. A little catharsis sounds about right.
This year’s Richmond stop is part of the festival’s new Radiant Tour, which organizers say puts a little more focus on the reflection and connection behind the whole thing, rather than simply getting some content as a few thousand lanterns float across the water.
“With the Radiant Tour, we wanted to create something that goes beyond a single evening,” said Nate Sorensen, Director of Events. “It’s about giving guests space to slow down, reflect, and truly connect with themselves and the people around them.”
There’s plenty happening before the lanterns hit the water. The evening includes live music, local food vendors, yard games, a scavenger hunt and Lantern Stories, where people can share what inspired their lantern or use it to honor someone important to them.
And what happens to all those lanterns afterward? According to festival organizers, a dedicated cleanup crew retrieves the lanterns and other materials from the water after the event.
The Water Lantern Festival takes place Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Dorey Park in Henrico County. Tickets and more information can be found HERE.
Photos courtesy of Water Lantern Festival
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