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Events

Lantern Parade at Riverfest

2023 Lantern Parade at Tampa Riverfest!

MAY 6, 2023 AT 8:30 PM

The Riverfest Lantern Parade is an annual event where participants decorate their own paper lanterns and join in on the parade! The parade will start at Water Works Park at 8:30 PM and end in Curtis Hixon Park. 

 


LANTERN PARADE

Tampa Riverfest’s Lantern Parade to be held on May 6th at 8:30 pm. The May 6th Lantern Parade will illuminate the Riverwalk beginning in Water Works Park and ending in Curtis Hixon. 

Interested in sponsoring the Riverfest Lantern Parade? Please email info@thetampariverwalk.com for more information!

purchase a lantern kit!

KITS ON SALE SOON! Kits will be available for purchase off our website.

Purchase your own kit to build your Lantern to partake in 2023 Riverfest Lantern Parade!
Kits available:
Manatee Kit: $25
Sea Turtle Kit: $25
Basic Kit: $20

Kit Options:
Turtle Lantern Kit includes- Lantern, Light, Battery, Stick, How-to-make Turtle Instructions, Body parts to cut out and google eyes.
Manatee Lantern Kit includes- Lantern, Light, Battery, Stick, How-to-make Manatee Instructions, Body parts to cut out and google eyes.
Basic- Lantern, Light, Stick and batteries.

ORDER ONLINE: NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE YET, COMING SOON!
Kit can be picked up at Visit Tampa Bay Visitor Center.
Address: 201 N Franklin St #102, Tampa, FL 33602
Hours of Operation: 10AM - 5PM, MON-SUN

PURCHASE YOUR KIT IN PERSON: NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE YET, COMING SOON!
Bay to Bay Ace Hardware
Phone: (813) 415-3180
Address: 4215 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629
ONLY BASIC & MANATEE AVAILABLE HERE.


Create your lantern with us!

LANTERN WORKSHOPS

JOIN US! Lantern kits will be for sale the day of the event, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Water Works Park. Create a manatee, turtle or your very own design and stay to debut your lantern at Tampa Riverfest’s inaugural Lantern Parade on May 7th at 8:30 PM. Or, create yours prior too and bring it day of to join the fun!

Don't want to wait until day of? Join us for our Lantern Making Workshops in Partnership with Armature Works!

Tap into your inner creative, while sipping wine and enjoying lite snacks.  Learn step by step how to create a custom paper lantern or create your own! 
Tickets cost $35 per person
Ticket includes:
Step-by-step instructions
Lantern kit
Supplies for creating a custom lantern
Complimentary wine 21+ (ID required)
Lite snacks

Monday, April 17, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Armature Works: Show + Tell Room
Register here!

Thursday, April 27, 2023
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Armature Works: Show + Tell Room
Register Here!


Create your lantern at home!

DIY Lantern Kit
Build your lantern at home and join us on May 6th at 8:30 PM in the parade from Water Works Park to Curtis Hixon Park!

DIY Supply List:
Lantern: 
10" Lantern
20" Lantern
Lantern Lights:
Pack of 2
Pack of 7 - Make with friends!
Lantern Sticks:
Lantern Stick with LED Light (Pack of 4)
Bamboo Sticks
Lantern Batteries:
Batteries

Other DIY Lantern Ideas:
DIY Lanterns for Kids
10 Easy Lantern Making Ideas for Kids

Check out 2022 Riverfest Lantern Parade Photos!

Photos by: Tacy Briggs-Tronocoso
                  PamElla Lee Photography 


Riverfest Parking and Transportation

Parking is available at multiple locations near the event and within a few blocks. See the map below.

The address of Curtis Hixon Park is 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602. Nearby garages include William F. Poe Garage and Fort Brooke Garage.

The address of Water Works Park is 1701 N. Highland Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602. Nearby lots and garages include the 220 Parking Lot and the Heights Parking Garage as well as the Armature Works Lots.  

Various on-street metered spaces are also available. Parking rates and hours of operation vary depending upon the location of the space.   

We encourage you to come early and walk the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk to other downtown destinations. You can also travel to the event using Uber, Lyft, Pirate Water TaxiCoast Bike Share, and TECO Line Streetcar.  The TECO Line Streetcar is FREE and comes every 15 minutes.

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