Celebrating 31 years of bringing light to the heart of the community
If you’re looking for something magical, this is it.
Each year in June, the people of Lismore come together to light up their town — and they do it beautifully. The Lismore Lantern Parade has become one of the most loved winter festivals in the country. It started in 1994, and 31 years later, it’s still going strong.
What makes it special? It’s not just a parade — it’s a full-day celebration that ends in a riverbank finale with fireworks, performance, and a huge bonfire. You’ll see lanterns floating down the street, giant illuminated creatures, and glowing artworks made by local schools, families, and artists. And when night falls, the whole city seems to glow.
The Lantern Parade runs right through Lismore’s main streets, finishing near the Wilson’s River. People come early, book seats at Oakes Oval, and bring kids, blankets, snacks, and cameras. If you’ve got a spare jacket and a sense of wonder, you’ll fit right in.
The event is deeply local — backed by Lismore City Council, schools, banks, community groups, and hundreds of volunteers. Families are at the heart of it. So are grey nomads. So are under-25s. It’s one of those rare events where generations mix, chat, and enjoy something truly shared.
In 2022, after the devastating floods, the Lantern Parade became something more than a festival. It became a moment of healing. That year, the parade honoured the SES, the Tinnie Army, and the volunteers who helped Lismore get back on its feet. The finale showed a fiery phoenix wrapped in a glowing heart. People cried. People cheered. Everyone felt it.
This isn’t just about light. It’s about resilience. And joy.
Over the years, the event has grown. From a small gathering in the early ’90s to crowds of over 30,000 people today. Around 2,500 people actually take part in the parade. That includes kids, schools, performers, community groups, drummers, dancers, and local businesses from all over the Northern Rivers. It stretches from Byron Bay to Casino, Kyogle to Tweed. If you’re anywhere nearby, you’ve heard of it.
Even in 2020 — when events everywhere were cancelled — Lismore made it happen. The team created a Virtual Lantern Parade, with lantern kits sold online and installations across the city. People sent in photos from Melbourne, Atlanta, the UK, even New Zealand. It was quirky. It worked.
In 2023, the theme was Gates of Renewal. A return to the river. A squeeze for space, but a big win for the heart.
In 2024, the parade turned 30. Generations returned. Some parents who carried lanterns in the ‘90s were back, this time with their teenagers. The theme looked back — to simple beginnings, to steady growth, to the way this event became part of the region’s identity.
Last year also saw something historic. The 41st Battalion, Royal NSW Regiment, exercised their Freedom of Entry to the City of Lismore — a rare ceremonial honour not seen here since 1979. The parade worked it into the program with full pageantry and a lot of local pride.
Now in 2025, the Lismore Lantern Parade is as alive as ever.
The streets will be lined with visitors. The lanterns will be glowing. And the Fiery Finale will light up the night sky from Oakes Oval once more.
If you’re planning to be there (and we think you should), check out the full program of events on their website. You’ll find everything you need — workshops, parade routes, food stalls, seating tickets, and all the info for families.
This isn’t just a festival. It’s Lismore — lit from within.
