May 9
The Lantern Parade is an evening filled with fantastical puppets and glowing lanterns! Families bring handcrafted lanterns, celebrate as the sun sets, then parade together down to the Chattahoochee River.
Get ready for one of Sandy Springs’ most colorful night of the year!
The Sandy Springs Lantern Parade returns on May 9, 2026, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together for an unforgettable evening of glowing lanterns, larger-than-life puppets, live music, a DJ, and delicious food trucks.
Bring your own handcrafted lantern, gather with the crowd as the sun goes down, and join this family-friendly parade as it winds down Morgan Falls Road to the banks of the Chattahoochee River.
The parade is free, open to everyone, and designed for all ages. Whether you're carrying a lantern, dancing to the music, or just soaking in the atmosphere, it’s a night full of wonder you won’t want to miss.
Parking - For everyone's safety, cars are NOT allowed near the parade route. Park at 7840 Roswell Rd, then shuttle or walk to the Pre-Parade Party (0.4 miles, or a 10 minute walk).
Parade Route - Parade steps-off at the Pre-Parade Party (Sandy Springs Municipal Complex), walks along Morgan Falls Rd, and ends at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The parade route is 1 mile, downhill.
Schedule - The Parade is Saturday, May 9, 2026 with festivities starting at 6:00 p.m. Pre-Parade Party is 6 - 8:30 pm. Parade line-up is at 8 pm, and step-off is at 8:30 pm.
Shuttles - Shuttles run between Parking and the Pre-Parade Party until parade line-up (6 - 8 pm). After parade step-off, shuttles only run from Overlook Park back to Parking (9-10:30pm). Staying for the parade? Plan to walk to Overlook Park or back to Parking.
Lanterns - Make a Lantern in advance, then bring it to the parade. Only LED battery powered lights are allowed; No fire or flying lanterns.
Restrooms - Located at Parking, Pre-Parade Party, and Overlook Park. There no restrooms along the parade route.
Parking
All vehicles must park at 7840 Roswell Road (Google Maps). If you are taking Rideshare, you must also drop-off at 7840 Roswell Road.
Then walk (or ride the shuttle) to the Pre-Parade Party at the Sandy Springs Municipal Complex. The walk from Parking to the Pre-Parade Party is about 10 minutes (0.4 miles) along a flat sidewalk
If you're watching the parade - After you arrive at the Pre-Parade Party, walk further along Morgan Falls Road to find a viewing location. Please remain on the sidewalk.
Shuttles
Before the parade:
Shuttles run between Parking and the Pre-Parade Party until parade line-up (6 - 8 pm).
After the parade:
After the parade, shuttles only run from Overlook Park back to Parking (9-10:30 pm).
If you are staying for the parade, plan to walk to Overlook Park or back to Parking.
If you choose to walk from Overlook Park back to Parking (7840 Roswell Rd), you’ll get your steps in! It is 1.5 miles back, uphill. However, there is sidewalk and streetlights throughout the entire route.
Parade details
The Lantern Parade steps-off at the Pre-Parade Party (Sandy Springs Municipal Complex), walks along Morgan Falls Rd, and ends at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The parade route is 1 mile, downhill. Parade line-up is at 8 pm, and step-off is at 8:30 pm.
Before the Lantern Parade steps off, join us at the Pre-Parade Party at the Sandy Springs Municipal Complex, 6- 8:30pm. The party is packed with activities for everyone – whether you're marching in the parade or cheering from the sidelines.
Parade Start - This party is the starting point for the parade! If you are walking in the parade, line-up is at 8 pm.
Live DJ - Live DJs spin a mix of awesome party music, lead hula-hoop contests, and more.
Balloon Artist - Watch the magic unfold as a balloon artist creates animals, swords, and other fun shapes.
Bubble Station - Step into a world of bubbles! Kids can create giant, sparkling bubbles using all kinds of silly gadgets and unexpected objects.
Stayin’ Alive Dance Crew – Right before parade line up, enjoy a performance from Stayin’ Alive, a non-profit dance crew of performers aged 50+. They inspire everyone to keep moving and grooving!
Fish Choir - Several fish puppets have discovered a love for singing (well, lip-syncing). They will be performing at the Pre-Parade Party!
Food Trucks - Savor delicious bites from a variety of food trucks
In the Lantern Parade, you make the magic! Our city's Lantern Parade is a form of "civic play" - a chance for creative fun in a public space. Families make their own lanterns, then gather together to parade as a community!
Lantern Kits will NOT be available during the event. Make your lantern in advance, then bring it to the parade. Only LED battery powered lights are allowed. No fire or flying lanterns.
Attend A Lantern Parade Workshop
Visit the City Of Sandy Springs Lantern Parade Page for more information.
May 9
The Lantern Parade is an evening filled with fantastical puppets and glowing lanterns! Families bring handcrafted lanterns, celebrate as the sun sets, then parade together down to the Chattahoochee River.
May 2 to May 3
Get ready for the Lantern Parade! Join parade artist Chantelle Rytter as she leads workshoppers in the construction of their very own lantern puppets.