Name: Winter Lantern Walk
Start: 2025-12-13T16:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-12-13T18:30:00-05:00
Location: 2110 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh, NC, United States, North Carolina 27607

New this year: Share your light! We will be gathering in-kind donations for multiple local organizations at this year’s Winter Lantern Walk. In honor of coming together as a community during the season of light and giving, we encourage you to bring an item or items to donate.
Gently used coats, gloves, or hats for WRAL Coats for the Children.
New pet food, toys, and/or supplies for Wake County Animal Center. See their most up-to-date list of needs.
New canned food and pantry items and/or toiletries for InterAct of Wake County.
There will be bins near the Ellipse as you arrive to drop off your donations.
Shine your light at our annual lantern walk! Bring a homemade lantern (no flames) and come together as we honor the quiet beauty of the approaching winter season with a magical paper lantern procession through the Museum Park.
You create the light for the procession, so be sure to have your own paper lantern to carry. Read on for detailed event information and guidelines for making your lantern in advance.
Event schedule
4:30 pm: Activities and gathering for procession on the Ellipse. Come early to get parked and see everyone’s lanterns.
5:30 pm: Lantern procession assembles on the Ellipse. Please do not begin walking before 5:30 pm. We will gather everyone to walk at the same time and take our time to have a peaceful walk.
6:30 pm: Festivities conclude on the Ellipse.
Homemade paper lantern guidelines:
No candles or flames. Use battery-operated or other kinds of lights.
Get creative! Tissue paper or cardstock often works best for the base of the lantern. The papier-mâché process is a great way to make a lantern. Use whatever colors, shapes, sizes, designs, process, materials, and embellishments you like. You can even purchase a premade paper lantern and modify that.
Be sure to consider how you will transport and carry your lantern. We encourage you to use your imagination and make it your own.
If interested, attend one of the NCMA’s Lantern-Making Workshops on Saturday, November 15.
We do not provide lanterns in advance of or at the event.
Please join even if you do not have a lantern! Being a spectator is just as fun.
Important rules and preparation information:
Children must be supervised and with an adult at all times. It will be dark out, crowded, and there are hazards like a pond. Please be aware, stay together, and prioritize safety!
Leave pets at home.
No glass containers or alcohol is allowed.
Do not climb on Museum Park sculptures.
Parking will be crowded and limited. Expect to walk a good distance from parking to the event location. Arrive early and plan for delays. Once parking fills up, you will be directed away from the Museum campus to try and find it elsewhere.
Please preregister. Event capacity is limited and will sell out. Use an accurate email address that is checked regularly so you are aware of important updates or weather changes.