Festival · Picton

Firelight Lantern Festival

Handmade lanterns, giant puppets, fire performance and live music over two November evenings, a County tradition since 2013, and in 2026 its fourteenth year.

What it is

An evening procession of handmade lanterns and giant puppets through Picton, with fire performance, illuminated installations and live bands.

Friday night is licensed and strictly 19+. Saturday is all ages and begins with a gathering at Benson Park at 6pm, with the Aurora Borealis Community Choir at 6:30.

Inside the Crystal Palace both nights there is a bar run by County Cider Co. and a Kaleidoscope Catering food truck.

Good to know

  • Buying Saturday tickets in person at Kelly's Shop on Picton Main Street saves $5 an adult over online or door prices.
  • The outdoor parts of the festival are free, with donations encouraged. You do not have to buy a ticket to watch the procession.
  • Tickets for 2026 go on sale 17 October.

Fitting it round a tasting day

It shares a weekend with The Maker's Hand craft show in the same town, a strong reason to stay the night.

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