One of Atlanta’s most beloved annual traditions returns on May 21 for its twelfth year! The Art on the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade will take place, for the first time, on the Westside Trail. Created and presented by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, everyone is invited to bring their own lanterns and join giant puppets, marching bands, and fellow Atlantans on a 1-mile parade in a celebration of creativity, community, and light through the historic neighborhoods of southwest Atlanta. 

Lineup for the parade begins at 8:00 p.m. at Adair Park I on Catherine Street in the Adair Park neighborhood. At 8:45 p.m., the parade will step off and travel northwest on the Westside Trail to Lee + White. Four marching bands will accompany the Krewe and the parade in order of appearance: Sabor! Brass Band, Black Sheep Ensemble, Seed & Feed Marching Abomninables, and Wasted Potential Brass Band! 

In 2010, the Lantern Parade set out to encourage people to discover the unpaved Atlanta BeltLine. Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons submitted a performance proposal for the first year of Art on the Atlanta BeltLine that called for people to make lanterns and join them for a nighttime stroll along the then-dirt Eastside Trail. The first parade garnered roughly 400 participants and no spectators. The Krewe ultimately succeeded in their mission – the parade grew to an estimated 70,000 participants and viewers in 2019.

While everyone is invited and encouraged to join in this magical celebration, there are a few guidelines. Participants must have a lantern to walk in the parade. Please no bikes or pets. Pedestrian traffic on the trail during the parade must flow in the same direction to the northwest. Flying lanterns are prohibited. 

Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons offer lantern making workshops for a range of types and skill levels, including globe lanterns, big lantern puppets, illuminated parasols, reed and sticks English-style free form lanterns, and Herd of Cats globe lanterns. For this parade, workshops will take place in a pop-up Lantern Parade Studio courtesy of Lee + White. On May 13, the Krewe is offering the Lantern Parade Salon and Artist Talk. The full schedule of lantern workshops, along with lantern ideas and inspiration, is available at weirdgonepro.com. 

Be advised that rolling street closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. on May 21. Catherine Street will be closed between Allene Avenue and the north end of Lexington Avenue at 8 p.m. Allene Avenue will be closed between Brookline Street and Warner Street at 8:30 p.m. Please note that there is no parking on site nor in the adjacent neighborhoods. Alternative modes of transportation are highly encouraged. Participants and attendees should plan to take MARTA to the West End station, utilize a ride share service, or bike. Visit itsmarta.com for train and bus schedule information.