PRESS RELEASE: After its successful Australian debut, Water Lantern Festival will be in Melbourne, with a three-day event on 30 and 31 May, and 1 June

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

12 May 2025

After its successful Australian debut, Water Lantern Festival will be in Melbourne, with a three-day event on 30 and 31 May, and 1 June

The globally celebrated Water Lantern Festival made its highly anticipated debut in Australia with the inaugural event held over a weekend in March at Carss Bush Park, in Kogarah Bay, Sydney attracting more than 5000 attendees, then went on to produce successful events in Newcastle at Speers Park, next at Bonython Park, in Adelaide, SA, at Evandale Parklands, in Surfers Paradise, QLD, and at Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Brisbane, QLD on May 24 and 25.

Now, The Water Lantern Festival is set to take place at Queens Park, Moonee Ponds, on Friday 30 May, Saturday 31 May, and Sunday 1 June, from 2.30pm – 6.30pm.

Since 2018, the Water Lantern Festival has captivated hearts worldwide, hosting nearly 500 events and welcoming over 1.4 million attendees.

Australians have now had the chance to experience this magic firsthand, with thousands of personalised glowing lanterns lighting up the water, all carrying messages of love, healing, happiness, and connection.

Beyond the breathtaking visual spectacle, the Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of community spirit, which was exemplified across the two nights of the Water Lantern Festival in Sydney.

Attendees explored a vibrant selection of local vendors, food trucks, Water Lantern Festival-branded merchandise, and talented local musicians; which made for a truly immersive cultural experience.

The “Lantern Stories” was an emotional part of the evening with kids, mums and dads, groups of friends, and couples sharing their personal stories and the meaning behind the deeply personal words they wrote on their lanterns, with attendees. These stories added a beautiful layer of connectedness, ahead of launching the water lanterns onto the water at dusk.

“Being part of the Water Lantern Festival in Sydney was an unforgettable experience. The energy from the local vendors, local musicians and festival-style food trucks created a vibrant celebration of culture that drew everyone in. Combined with the heartfelt lantern stories and the glow of thousands of lanterns on Kogarah Bay, it was a powerful reminder of how shared moments can unite a community in hope and joy,” said Burke McArthur, CEO of Water Lantern Festival.

Australian Bridger Thomas, Event Coordinator, Water Lantern Festival said: “It’s a great opportunity to go into a different market and see if Aussies share the same passion and excitement for the Water Lantern Festival that attendees do across the US and Canada. “One thing that drives us is making a difference. We want it to be something that people look forward to attending – to enjoy the event and to participate in something so special”, Bridger added.

Dallin Watts, CMO, Water Lantern Festival: “We are thrilled to bring the Water Lantern Festival to the beautiful Queens Park, Moonee Ponds. This is a chance for Melbourne residents and visitors to experience something truly magical—an evening for the community to come together, light up Queens Park with beautiful lanterns, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Following its global success and sensational debut in Sydney, we’re excited to share this one-of-a-kind celebration with Melbourne and its surrounds. We invite everyone across the region and beyond to grab their tickets and join us for a night of wonder, connection, and local pride. Don’t miss out on being part of this unforgettable event!”

The Water Lantern Festival is committed to sustainability and ensures that each event is environmentally responsible. With a strict cleanup protocol, every lantern is collected, leaving the event space even more beautiful than it was found. The lights used in the lanterns are fully recyclable, reinforcing the festival’s dedication to environmental consciousness.

The lanterns are made from wood and rice paper, making them as sustainable as possible. Participants are encouraged to decorate their lanterns with messages of empowerment, remembrance, and connection, and in doing so, creating a unique lantern honouring their experience, setting it afloat is a visually beautiful experience.

Scheduled times for events across Australia vary, with some states hosting one-, two-, or three-day Water Lantern Festival events.

1 in 10 people around the world lack access to safe water. Water Lantern Festival is proud to support Water.org to help change this. Access to safe water improves health, empowers women, enables access to education, increases family income and changes lives. Water.org has transformed millions of lives around the world. Together, the Water Lantern Festival is committed to change even more. QR codes are available at each event to learn more and donate to the cause.

Tickets are available now for the next round of events at: www.waterlanternfestival.com/australia

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For further enquiries, please contact:
Josie Gagliano, Publicist, Water Lantern Festival
[email protected]
+61 411 234 022

Notes for Editors

Link to photos and B-roll from Sydney and Gold Coast events here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dJrjO-RESi5e2hfm3QMHWev61VVXcrzp

Water Lantern Festival website and social media handles:

Website: https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/australia

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterlanternfestival

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waterlanternfestival/

Location for Water Lantern Festival Melbourne is:

Queens Park
Mt Alexander Road and Kellaway Avenue,
Moonee Ponds VIC 3039

Event information for Water Lantern Festival Melbourne::
https://www.waterlanternfestival.com/events/melbourne