Southwest Atlanta will shine on Saturday night as the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade makes its 16th appearance. Beginning near Beulah Colbert Park at 7:15 p.m., the two‑mile procession will wind through neighborhood streets, onto the Southwest Trail, and conclude at the Lee + White parking lot around 9 p.m.
More programming for families and artists
This year’s celebration adds a host of new elements. In addition to the main parade, the Beltline Kids Lantern Parade will run at Pittsburgh Yards from 4 to 7 p.m., with a kickoff at 4:30 p.m. Kids can enjoy music from DJ Willy WOW!, face painting, balloon twisting, and a lantern‑making station hosted by The Happy Black Parent.
Neighborhood, community and civic groups will operate activation stations along the route, and the Beltline Marketplace at Allene will stay open throughout the evening, showcasing local small‑business vendors. Pop‑up performances and temporary light installations will provide extra visual interest for walkers and cyclists.
How to participate
Anyone can join the procession with a handmade lantern. Organizer Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons are offering lantern‑making workshops in the weeks leading up to the event, and online guides are available for DIY designs. On the day of the parade, Trees Atlanta will host a “procrastination station” for last‑minute lantern creators.
Rytter, the artist who founded the parade, says the event’s power lies in its simplicity. “You just needed a lantern and the willingness to show up,” she explained. “It stopped being about just ‘making a thing’ and became about ‘making a moment,’ a memory, a shared experience.”
Leadership perspective
Atlanta Beltline President and CEO Clyde Higgs emphasized the parade’s role in building civic infrastructure. “Our goal has never simply been to build a trail,” Higgs said. “We are helping create the physical and civic infrastructure that brings people together and gives communities new ways to connect with one another and with their city.”
Since its modest beginnings with a few hundred lantern carriers, the parade has grown into one of Atlanta’s most beloved public‑art traditions, illustrating how community‑driven projects can thrive alongside the Beltline’s expanding 22‑mile corridor.
Practical details
The procession will start near Beulah Colbert Park (formerly Adair Park II) and travel roughly two miles, about a half‑mile longer than previous years. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early, bring a lantern if they wish, and enjoy the family‑friendly programming before the main parade begins. Parking is available at the Lee + White lot, and public transit options include the Beltline’s own transit connections.
Whether you are a longtime Beltline supporter or a first‑time visitor, the Lantern Parade offers a chance to experience Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene, support local creators, and create lasting memories with friends and family.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
