Sandy Springs "Take it to the River" Lantern Parade

ABOUT THE PARADE

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 Morgan Falls Overlook Park, right next to the Chattahoochee River!  

The parade is created by Chantelle Rytter + Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons featuring the Black Sheep Ensemble. 

This event is brought to you by the City of Sandy Springs, City of Sandy Springs Recreation & Parks Department, Murph's Surf Shop, Steel Canyon Golf Club, and the National Park Service: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. 

The Lantern Parade is Saturday, April 13:
 

• Pre-Parade Shuttles run between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Block Party is 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
• Parade Step-off is approx. 8:30 p.m.
• Post-Parade Shuttles run 9:00 - 10:30 p.m. 

Join The Parade!

The Best Block Party 

Before the parade begins, families gather to eat, dance, and have fun! As the sun sets, you can enjoy a live DJ and food trucks. Show off your lantern and make new friends!

Pre-parade activities begin at 6:00 p.m. and continue until parade step off (approximately 8:30 p.m.) 

Bring Your Lantern! With all the excitement, there will NOT be a moment to make a lantern. No lanterns will be available for purchase, so make your lantern in advance! 

Walk in the Parade 

Anyone is welcome to join the parade! There is no fee to participate in the parade, and no registration is required. 

Parade step-off is approximately 8:30 p.m. Pre-Parade Shuttles run 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m, so be sure to arrive in time. Learn more about Parking and the Shuttle 

Good walking shoes are a must. The route is along Morgan Falls Road, approximately 0.7 miles long (downhill). After the event, there are post-parade shuttles to bring you back to parking.

Bathrooms will be available in the Shuttle Parking Lot, Steel Canyon Golf Club, and Morgan Falls Overlook Park. No restrooms will be available along the parade route. 

Flying Pigs lead the parade! If you made a Flying Pig lantern, you get to march in the front of the parade with Sanderson the Flying Pig! When the parade starts to line up, go to the front of the line and look for Sanderson.

Watch The Parade

Find a Spot on the Sidewalk - The parade is along Morgan Falls Road. It begins at Steel Canyon Golf Club, and ends at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Step off is approx. 8:30 p.m. 

Get comfy! You can bring folding chairs & blankets to watch the parade. The parade fills up the entire road, so watchers should remain on the sidewalk. For your safety, please do not sit or climb on the retaining walls along the route. 

After The Parade

Take It to the River - The parade ends at Morgan Falls Overlook Park, right next to the Chattahoochee River!

As you explore Overlook Park, you're surrounded by hundreds of creative, glowing lanterns. Sound fills the park as Black Sheep Ensemble plays an energetic music with incredible brass and percussion. 

Then, five unique and enchanting lanterns are floated on the Chattahoochee River. Look for Jeremiah the Bullfrog, Georgia Kissyfish, Alice the 26-foot Albino Alligator, and more!

After you've snapped some pictures, walk over to the shuttle. It will take you back to the parking lot. Learn more about Parking & the Shuttle Route.

Watching the parade? If you want to enjoy the magic of Overlook Park, you can walk down the hill after the parade passes. This means you must walk down the hill carrying your stuff, so bring a wagon. You can take the shuttle back (uphill) to parking.

Learn More

Click Here for additional information and a list of frequently asked questions.