Lantern Parade at Riverfest : Events : Friends of the Riverwalk

2025 Lantern Parade at Tampa Riverfest!

Saturday, May 3, 2025

The Riverfest Lantern Parade is an annual event where participants decorate their own paper lanterns and join a 1-mile parade that illuminates the Riverwalk! The parade will start at Water Works Park at 8:30 PM and end in Curtis Hixon Park.

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

Interested in being a lantern parade commissioned artist?

The Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is thrilled to announce the 4th Annual Tampa Riverwalk Lantern Parade in partnership with the ever-popular Riverfest. This magical, light-filled evening will take place along the Tampa Riverwalk between Water Works Park and Curtis Hixon Park.

This year, we are commissioning marching lantern floats—large-scale, illuminated sculptures—to join over 500 community-crafted lanterns carried by participants of all ages. Through workshops and collaborations with Armature Works, neighboring businesses, and the Tampa Arts Alliance, we aim to create a stunning celebration of light, art, and community.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking big, bright, fun, and mobile creations that are 8–10 feet tall, less than 5 feet wide, lightweight, and easily carried. Designs should embody creativity and fun while reflecting themes of water, aquatics, or Tampa’s unique identity.

Whether you are an individual artist or part of a community group, we encourage you to participate! Selected artists will play an active role in promoting the parade by sharing their design and creation process through photographs, videos, and potential media interviews.

Your creation must be weather-resistant, durable enough to withstand potential rain and wind, and ready for the parade on May 3, 2025.

Compensation

Thanks to the generous support of The Gobioff Foundation, three selected artists will receive:

$1,500 each for materials, transportation, and artist fees.
Admission for two to the VIP Tent at Curtis Hixon Park during Riverfest.

Sponsors

We welcome business and corporate sponsorships to support this free, community-focused event. If you know of potential sponsors, please contact MaryBeth Williams at mwilliams@thetampariverwalk.com.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Creativity, originality, and alignment with the parade’s themes.
Feasibility and mobility of the design.
Demonstrated ability to produce dynamic public art within limited resources.

Artists with experience in public art, puppetry, sculpture, and performance are strongly encouraged to apply. Proposals will be reviewed by a Selection Committee, and awards will be announced by March 7, 2025.

Timeline

February 1, 2025: Submission window opens.
February 28, 2025: Submission deadline at 5:00 PM. Late entries will not be accepted.
March 7, 2025: Awards announced via email, Tampa Riverwalk social media, and website.

May 3, 2025: Parade day! Artists line up at 8:15 PM at Water Works Park. The parade steps off at 8:30 PM for a 1-mile walk to Curtis Hixon Park.

Interested artists and community groups should submit using the button below!

CALL FOR ARTISTS!