The concept remains the same, and it is precisely this concept that has captivated audiences—a body of water that gradually fills with hundreds of floating lanterns, creating a striking scene as night falls. This spectacle is enjoying growing success around the world and is therefore returning to Brussels for another evening at the Bois de la Cambre.
The idea draws inspiration from the grand lantern festivals in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where every year thousands of people place illuminated lanterns on the water or release them into the sky as a gesture of purification and wish-making. Images of these events have gone viral on social media, greatly contributing to the popularity of this ritual far beyond Asia. The Water Lantern Festival captures this spirit in its own way: each participant decorates their own lantern with a message, a memory, or a wish, before setting it adrift on the water at sunset.
However, the event isn’t limited to this highlight. Music, food stands, and entertainment set the tone for the entire evening, designed as an outing to enjoy with friends, family, or as a couple.
A ritual reimagined to reach a wide audience
In practice, each participant receives a floating lantern to personalize before the group release. As the evening progresses, the lights multiply on the water until they form the landscape that has become the event’s signature.
The concept, born of a centuries-old Asian tradition, has since been adapted into a traveling event that is now taking place in numerous cities around the world. The principle remains the same: take a moment to write a personal message on a piece of paper, then participate in a collective and highly photogenic installation.
Whether to celebrate a special occasion, spend an evening with loved ones, or simply try something different, the audience that turns out for the event is broad and diverse.
A new evening, in a setting that’s just as memorable
For this second event, the Water Lantern Festival will take place in a large Brussels park on September 19 and 20. Vast lawns and a pond provide a natural setting that lends itself just as well to this immersive experience, this time right in the heart of the city— and the park, as always, remains a public space that is open to the public free of charge.
Please note: The lanterns used are eco-friendly and biodegradable, and a回收 system is in place after the event to minimize its environmental impact.
