Menu
The Winter Solstice Lantern Festival is now in its 28th year and celebrates Vancouver’s diverse multicultural heritage, bringing together people from neighbourhoods around Vancouver. This year’s festival will consist of virtual, live-stream, and in-person events.
Video and Live-stream Festival Components
Throughout December lantern making and other instructional videos will be available on the Secret Lantern Society website to inspire participants to create their own homemade lanterns and headdresses from simple and natural materials. Visit their website and tap in to your personal creativity; participants are welcome to bring their creations to the free outdoor procession from Triangle Square, and the Family Lantern Dance in the Picnic Pavilion. Find the videos here.
On December 21st live-stream activities will focus on the universal experience of the sun’s return. Other virtual elements will enhance the at-home celebrations of participants, including solstice stories from various cultures, a pre-recorded time-lapse mandala, and via Zoom, an astronomical explanation of the night sky and a playful interactive Lantern Dance Party so participants can show each other the lanterns they have created.
On-site Components
Lantern sales and performances will take place at Triangle Square, after which you can follow the Carnival Band to the Waterpark. After the song of welcome by the Morris Men, visitors are invited to the Family Lantern Dance Party in the Picnic Pavilion. Ticketed workshops will be taking place in the Community Centre, and the Labyrinth of Light will once again be illuminating Performance Works. Advance online ticket sales close December 21 at 12:30pm, and limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door, cash only. Make reservations here.
Schedule of Events
Triangle Square
5:00 – 6:30 – Lantern sales
5:00 – 5:45 – Vancouver Morris Men
5:45 – 6:20 – Groove with The Carnival Band and then follow them on the procession to the Water Park.
Water Park
6:25 Enjoy the traditional torch-lit Wassail (Song Of Welcome) by the Vancouver Morris Men – for the 28th consecutive year!
6:40 – 7:40 Move on over to the Family Lantern Dance Party in the Picnic Pavilion (next to the Water Park) and get kooky with The Carnival Band.
Performance Works
6:00 – 10:30 – Labyrinth of Light
On-site event runs from 6pm – 10pm
Live stream virtual doors open at 5:45pm – register here
CMHC-Granville Island would like to acknowledge that we are located on the traditional territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations.
