One of Atlanta’s most beloved, illuminated annual traditions is reimagined this September! For the first time, the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade will take place throughout a multitude of Atlanta BeltLine neighborhoods. Everyone is invited to participate by parading-in-place at your own home and enjoy the spirit of the lantern parade online (or from the front of your home, if you’re lucky)! Created and hosted by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, the lantern parade will expand from a one-night in-person procession to a week-long virtual celebration. Everyone is invited to bring your homemade lanterns out to your porch, balcony, yard, and windows to shine your lights!

The Lantern Parade-in-Place will take place September 21 through 26, 2020. While we will not get together in person this year, and discourage lantern parade parties or gatherings, your participation from your home will provide a unique way to spread joy across the city, celebrate creativity, and build community on a granular level while keeping Atlanta safe.

Everyone is invited to show off their festive lantern displays on social media by posting a photo of your decorated home or yard with #BeltLineParadeInPlace plus your residential block. The residences and neighborhoods that are the most lit might receive a surprise visit from the Krewe on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night, September 24-26! The Krewe of the Grateful Glutton’s giant lantern puppets and parade bands will make unannounced pop-up appearances in BeltLine neighborhoods between 8 and 10 p.m. The parade bands include some of Atlanta’s favorite musicians, such as Kebbi Williams and the Wolfpack, Black Sheep Ensemble, and Wasted Potential Brass Band.

While the surprise events will drive anticipation and excitement, followers will be advised to stay tuned into the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine social channels to catch live-streamed snippets. If you hear or see the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons on a sidewalk on your street, come out and enjoy from your porch, your window, your yard, or from a safe and respectful distance of others. Please do not join the pop-up parade and avoid congregating outside in groups that do not respect CDC guidelines for social distancing. The Krewe will have marshals on hand to enforce social distancing and will halt the Krewe’s pop-up events if people gather.

A digital map will contain live updates on where to see the best lantern light displays, so socially distanced neighbors can walk, bike, or drive around town to get your lantern love fix over the weekend. The map will be published on Monday, September 21, as a kick-off to the week. The Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons will monitor social media for the #BeltLineParadeInPlace hashtag and continually populate the map.

In lieu of lantern workshops this year, lantern kits will be available for purchase from select retail shops starting in mid-August. Free, DIY lantern tutorials will provide fresh, fun ideas to explore your creative side.

Krewe-designed yard signs will also be available for purchase to show off your lantern parade spirit.

The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade debuted on the Atlanta art scene in 2010 with a few hundred people and continues to grow to include tens of thousands of lantern enthusiasts. While this year will be different, everyone is always invited to join in in the fun and lights of one of the most magical events of the season – with plenty of space!

For up-to-the-minute information on the Lantern Parade, visit art.beltline.org/lantern-parade.