Atlanta is getting a new holiday tradition as Piedmont Park prepares to host its first-ever Holiday Lantern Parade on Sunday, November 22, 2026. The free community event will be part of the annual Light Up the Season celebration, bringing families, friends and visitors together for an evening of creativity, music and festive lights.
The celebration will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Greystone in Piedmont Park with a Lantern-Making Party, where attendees can create their own glowing decorations before joining the festivities. Music, seasonal treats and other activities will help set the mood for the holiday gathering.
At 5 p.m., the inaugural Holiday Lantern Parade will set off, led by the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable. Participants will carry their handmade lanterns through the park, following a route around Lake Clara Meer before arriving at the Meadow for the evening’s lighting ceremony.
The parade will lead into the lighting of Piedmont Park’s Great Tree, Menorah and Kinara, bringing together traditions associated with Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in a shared celebration of community and light. The illuminated displays are scheduled to remain on view through January 4, 2027.
Admission to Light Up the Season is free and open to the public, although organizers encourage advance registration to help with planning. Lantern-making materials will be available at the event while supplies last, and visitors are encouraged to arrive early. Following the lighting ceremony, guests can continue the evening at Park Tavern for a family holiday movie and additional festivities.
With its new lantern procession and beloved holiday displays, Piedmont Park’s Light Up the Season is creating another opportunity for Atlantans to gather, celebrate different traditions and welcome the holiday season together.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026
Location: Greystone and the Meadow, Piedmont Park, Atlanta, Georgia
Lantern-making: 3:30 p.m.
Lantern Parade: 5 p.m.
Admission: Free; advance registration encouraged
