13th annual Firelight Lantern Festival
November 7 & 8, 2025 ~ Crystal Palace, Picton
The Department of Illumination lights up the night with The Firelight Lantern Festival, a cherished Prince Edward County tradition since 2013. Two magical evenings of arts and music will unfold at the Crystal Palace in Picton, Ontario.
Friday, November 7 will be a 19+ evening with live music and performances at the Crystal Palace. Saturday, November 8 sees the return of our beloved Lantern Parade in an all-ages event starting in Benson Park. Gather at 6 PM to watch free performances; the parade will depart at 7 PM and make its way down Main Street to the Crystal Palace for a celebratory evening with live music and a second night of artistic revelry for the whole family.
The Firelight Lantern Festival is known for its epic illuminated art installations in the beautiful Crystal Palace with our artists responding to the year’s theme.
Festival-goers are invited to dress up in whatever wild and wonderful costume they wish – especially if it’s illuminated!
We invite our audiences to play an active role in the lantern festival by taking part in our community lantern-making workshops. These will be held in the Department of Illumination studio in the lower level of The Armoury in Picton, 206 Main Street. You’ll be provided with all the materials and instruction necessary to make a lantern for just $15 (HST inc).
The Firelight Lantern Festival draws inspiration from traditions of many lantern festivals throughout the world which use light as a symbol to bring people together. The timing of our festival in mid-November coincides with the European tradition of Martinmas which originated in France in honour of St. Martin, a friend of children and patron of the poor. Martinmas is celebrated throughout Europe, its signature being children’s lantern processions. As fall ends and the darkness of winter descends upon us it is easy to feel isolated, especially living in a rural community. Our festival acts as a beacon to encourage our residents, both adults and children, to conjure their own light, bringing it into their hearts and homes to sustain them through the darkness. Making a lantern is a literal application of this metaphor, but in gathering people together to make lanterns in town halls, schools and living rooms, our camaraderie grows and we feel the warm glow of making beautiful things with our hands alongside friends and neighbours.
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