Lakes Lights

Taking place on Saturday 1 July (middle weekend of School Holidays), Lakes Lights is set to wow visitors and locals alike with a stunning display of artist-made lanterns, projections and art installations on the small stretch of land between Cunninghame Arm and the Ninety Mile Beach.

In partnership with LEADA, we are pleased to announce an exciting music line-up featuring Mike Elrington, Charlie Needs Braces and Mick Harrington performing on stage, plus Invy Horn Jam, a 15-piece festival band that will entertain the crowd.

The winter foreshore market will offer plenty of winter warming food options, plus eateries along the Esplanade and Myer Street will stay open late to feed the masses.

The popular community lantern parade returns in 2023 with an expanded parade route. Anyone with a lantern (plus an accompanying adult) can take part in the parade and be one of the first to see the magical display across the Footbridge. There are several free lantern making workshops in the lead-up (details on the EGWF Program) so be sure to get along to one of the workshops and make your own lantern to carry in the parade.

Anyone carrying a lantern wishing to take part in the parade are to gather from 5:30pm between the Slipway and the Coast Guard Building (420 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance) where you will be entertained by roving performers and musicians.

The parade will set off at 6:00pm led by local CFA members and head east along the foreshore and past the market, before gathering in front of the music stage on the foreshore reserve (between the Footbridge and Rotunda, opposite The Servo) for a special Welcome to Country. The lantern parade will then make its way past the Rotunda and loop around the foreshore reserve before returning along the waterside walking path to meet local Aboriginal Elders at the start of the Footbridge. The Elders will lead the parade across the bridge and conduct a traditional smoking ceremony as the parade arrives at the other side.

PLEASE NOTE: To ensure the comfort and safety of all attendees, anyone not taking part in the parade must book a (free) ticket to walk across the Footbridge to explore the lanterns and art installations. Viewing times will commence from 6:30pm straight after the parade and run in 30-minute time slots until 8:30pm. Each time slot will have a capacity limit to avoid crowdedness and to ensure accessibility and a nice experience for all.

Once a time slot is fully booked, you will need to select another available time. We highly recommend you book in advance to secure your preferred time, however we do ask anyone without young children to consider booking a later time to allow families with young kids the opportunity to see the lanterns before bedtime (and toddler tantrums!)

LAKES LIGHTS viewing times: 
5:00 - 6:00pm - Closed for setup
6:00 – 6:30pm - Lantern Parade
6:30 – 7:00pm - Session 1
7:00 – 7:30pm - Session 2
7:30 – 8:00pm - Session 3
8:00 – 8:30pm - Session 4
8:30 - 9:30pm – Open to all

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