Lantern Festival Locations in London

When you think of lantern festival locations, outdoor events where handcrafted lights illuminate public spaces, often tied to cultural or seasonal traditions. Also known as light festivals, these gatherings turn parks, riversides, and plazas into glowing wonderlands—no ticket needed in many cases. London doesn’t have one big annual lantern event like some Asian cities, but it has a growing network of smaller, local, and seasonal celebrations that are just as meaningful—and way easier to get to.

These lantern festival locations often pop up around Diwali, Lunar New Year, or during winter solstice events. You’ll find them in places like Hyde Park, a major green space that hosts community light installations during holiday seasons, or along the Thames River Walk, a scenic route where floating lanterns sometimes drift near Tower Bridge during special events. Some neighbourhoods, like Chinatown or Southwark, organize their own lantern parades with handmade designs from local artists and schools. These aren’t commercial spectacles—they’re community-driven, often free, and deeply personal.

What makes these events special isn’t just the lights. It’s the stories behind them. A child’s hand-painted lantern might carry a message for a loved one. A group of elders might release lanterns to honor tradition. You’ll see families gathering near St James’s Park, London’s oldest royal park, where quiet evening walks are sometimes lit by temporary lantern displays, or students lining the banks of the Regent’s Canal with glowing paper lanterns. These aren’t just decorations—they’re moments of connection, memory, and quiet celebration.

You won’t find a single calendar listing every lantern event in London, because they’re scattered, organic, and often announced last-minute by local councils or cultural groups. But if you know where to look—community centres, cultural associations, or even local libraries—you’ll find them. Some years, you might catch lanterns floating on the Serpentine. Other years, they’ll line the paths of historic landscaped gardens, like those in Kew or Hampton Court, where lantern trails blend heritage with light art. The key is to stay alert in late autumn and early winter, when most of these events happen.

What follows is a collection of real stories and guides from Londoners who’ve been to these events, found the best spots, and learned how to make the most of them. Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment with glowing paper lanterns or a lively night out with music and food stalls, you’ll find the places, tips, and hidden details here. No fluff. Just where the lights are, when they’re on, and how to be part of them.