Downtown Lantern Parade
Gather with your lanterns at Ting Pavilion at 8:30pm. The parade will follow a route down the Downtown Mall led by the Elby Brass Band.
No pets, fire, or candle-lit lanterns please.
Want to make a lantern? Find inspiration here and make a lantern at home or join one of our lantern workshops led by local artists Miranda Elliott-Rader, Melissa Goldman, and Annie Temmink which can be found here. Find a variety of free and ticketed workshops happening downtown below.
Workshops for Artists Ages 13+
Friends of Cville is excited to partner with local artists Miranda Elliott-Rader, Melissa Goldman, Annie Temmink, and Raging Buffalo Glass Studio to lead lantern making workshops. Join a workshop to create lantern structures to be used in the community lantern parade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Downtown Mall on July 3rd, 2026. Workshops will be held at Live Arts and the McGuffy Art Center on the Downtown Mall. Participants will be able to choose from a variety of example designs or make their own design. All materials will be provided so just bring your creativity! Ages 13+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult (ticket sold separately).
If the cost of the workshop is a barrier, email us at info@friendsofcville.org to ask for a scholarship.
May 31 Workshop at Live Arts - Ticketed
June 1st Glass lantern workshop at McGuffy Art Center - Ticketed
June 14 Workshop at Live Arts - Ticketed
June 21 Workshop at Live Arts - Ticketed
June 28 Workshop at Live Arts - Ticketed
Family Friendly Workshops Downtown
Starting June 1st at the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitor Bureau vans who's schedule can be found here
June 4th, 6pm - 8pm - Mini Lantern Workshop at the June Arts from Underground
June 5th, 4pm - 5pm at the Virginia Discovery Museum
June 5th, 6pm - 8pm - Mini Lantern Workshop at the June Art Mix at Ix Art Park
June 12th, 4pm - 5pm at the Virginia Discovery Museum
June 20th, 10am - 12pm at the JMRL Central Library in the Swanson Case Courtroom
June 20th, 3pm - 5pm - Giant Owl Lantern Doodle Interactivity at the Fae Festival
June 21st, 12pm - 3pm - Giant Owl Lantern Doodle Interactivity at the Fae Festival
June 26th, 4pm - 5pm at the Virginia Discovery Museum
July 2nd, 6pm - 8pm - Mini Lantern Workshop at the July Arts from Underground
July 3rd, at the Virginia Discovery Museum
Want to make a lantern at home? Check out our Pinterest profile and find inspiration and tutorials here.