Gold Coast Water Lantern Festival
Experience the Magic
Light, Hope and Connection on the Water
As the sun dips below the skyline of Surfers Paradise, the calm waters of Evandale Lake begin to glow with hundreds of gently floating lanterns. Each one carries a message — of hope, remembrance, gratitude or love — written by hand and released into the twilight.
The Gold Coast Water Lantern Festival returns on Saturday, 17 January 2026, bringing an evening of reflection, joy and togetherness to the heart of the city. From 4:00 PM, families and friends can gather at the Evandale Parklands for live music, delicious food trucks, interactive activities and lantern design stations before the stunning mass release at dusk.
Whether you come to remember someone special, celebrate new beginnings or simply witness the magic, the festival offers a rare and moving experience — a chance to pause, connect and share the beauty of light over water.
Hosted beside the Nerang River with the Surfers Paradise skyline as its backdrop, the event is one of the most serene and photogenic evenings on the Gold Coast calendar
Location
Evandale Parklands
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217
Tickets & Details
Check official website for details. Your admission includes a lantern kit, marker pens and all materials for decorating your lantern. Early bookings are recommended as numbers are limited.
Time
4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Lantern launch
Around sunset
Be part of the glow — join thousands of others as Surfers Paradise lights up in unity, memory and celebration.
