Escondido Water Lantern Festival 2025 in California

Call it whatever you want: a lantern fest, a floating candle event, a water lights celebration, or even a Chinese lantern holiday—this get-together is a unique experience you'll never forget. Thousands of lights will appear above the water's surface, mesmerizing your eyes. Think of a message you want to send, draw it on your lantern, and then release it onto the water.

Festival Highlights

The Water Lantern Festival unites people of all ages and backgrounds for a truly unforgettable evening. As thousands of lanterns illuminate the water, you'll experience a moment of collective beauty and emotion. Beyond the breathtaking lights, the festival also offers an eco-conscious experience, with organizers collecting the lanterns and cleaning up the area after the event. Throughout the festival, enjoy a dazzling light show, sample tasty treats from food trucks, and witness the creative process through live painting sessions. It's a celebration of community, art, and nature.

Schedule

The Water Lantern Festival takes place in various locations across the U.S. and internationally. In Escondido, it's held at Kit Carson Park, with the event starting three hours before sunset. The lantern release typically begins at sunset and lasts for one to two hours, allowing everyone to participate in launching their lanterns onto the water. This creates a peaceful and stunning scene as thousands of lanterns illuminate the evening sky and water.

Tickets

Tickets start at $30, which includes entry to the festival, a floating lantern, a commemorative drawstring bag, an LED light, a marker, conversation cards, playing cards, and a wristband. This price also covers the cost of collecting the lanterns after the event and cleaning up any waste from the water and surrounding areas, ensuring that the festival remains environmentally friendly. Kids under eight enter the event for free.

Rules & Restrictions

Outside lanterns are not permitted, as organizers cannot ensure their proper cleanup. Attendees are welcome to bring their food or snacks to enjoy. Pets are not allowed, except for service animals. To capture the magic of the event, guests are encouraged to take photos and create lasting memories of a night to remember!