Get Involved
A shared tradition, brought to life by our community.
The Lismore Lantern Parade is powered by people who believe in community, creativity and coming together to light up our city. Each year, hundreds of volunteers help bring this much‑loved tradition to life — from building lanterns and welcoming visitors to supporting performers and pack‑down crews. Whether you have a few hours or can join us across the journey, volunteering is a chance to meet new people, learn new skills and be part of something truly special. No experience is needed — just a willingness to help, a love of community, and a sense of fun. Together, we create a night of joy, beauty and renewal that Lismore proudly shares with the world.
Participate in the Parade
Participate In the Lantern Parade
BANDS, DANCE GROUPS and PERFORMERS
Have you always wanted to participate in the Lantern Parade, but did not know how? Well there are a number of ways you can:
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Are you a member of a dance troupe or band that could walk in the parade? Dress up and swathe yourself in fairy lights,
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Join up with a bunch of colourful friends and dress up with fairy lights and carry one of our fabulous feature lanterns.
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Register your wonderful solo self after reading the information about how you can participate.
How to participate
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First register BELOW and send to us
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Dress up, make some funky musical instruments, dance routine, or
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Signup to carry one of our fabulous feature lanterns.
Cost
There is no charge for dance groups, bands or friendship groups to participate in the parade. If you need little lanterns eg pyramids to decorate numbers are limited please order soon $15 each, last orders 2nd June. Remember you can choose to carry one or two of our fabulous feature lanterns. Or, participate in the HEART LIGHT WEARABLE ARTS COMPETITION AND GALA and JOIN THE PARADE.
2026 Theme
This year the theme is the 'Chinese Year of the Fire Horse' as well as 'The Return of the Sun' and 'Community Together'or the 'HEART LIGHT WEARABLE ART THEMES'.
Conditions of participation - individuals/groups, performers, bands or dance groups
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Your participation should link in some way to the 2026 parade themes - Fire Horse, Return of the Sun, or the Wearable Art Awards themes.
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Your participation should be non-commercial and contain no logos, unkind or political slogans.
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Your entry must be illuminated and/or you play music.
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We accept cycle based ‘floats’ but no internal combustion engines. Note you will be walking on grass when you enter Oakes Oval.
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The Lismore Lantern Parade is a family oriented event and your entry must be suitable for viewing by minors (G rated).
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The Organisers’ (LightnUp Inc.) decision is final and your entry can be refused at any time.
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Parade participants must not hand out items such as lollies or leaflets from within the parade.
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We would love groups to bring some of their own music to enliven the parade – boom box, portable speaker.
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Please wear bright coloured costumes – fairy lights are awesome too!
Remember to bring tarps or a cushion to sit on the ground and warm clothes. Be inspired and dress up.
HAVE AN AMAZING NIGHT!!!
Volunteer
Volunteer With Us
The Lantern Parade simply could not operate without the generous support of its wonderful volunteers. Volunteers have the opportunity to work alongside the The LightnUp Team to deliver this exciting signature event.
Whether you are an experienced volunteer or just starting out, volunteering is a great way to help others, meet new people, build new skills, experience new challenges, build up work experience and make an extraordinary contribution to our local community.
Experience is not necessary and whatever skills you have to offer we would greatly appreciate. Please note that training is provided.
Pre-Event Tasks
Making & repairing lanterns & props
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Patching, fixing & decorating the lanterns
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Covering small and large lanterns with paper and /or fabric
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Painting lantern bases and props
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Selecting, fitting and labeling carry poles
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Make candle holders and hooks
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Cutting out shapes for decorating lanterns
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Make lanterns under direction, once experienced design your own
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Assist with making fire rope and constructing fire effects
Lantern workshops (school & community)
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Travel to schools and groups with coordinator to assist with workshops
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Assist with preparation for school workshops (see above)
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Good communication and people skills are essential
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A Working With Children Check is essential, available from NSW Service Centre - online
Administration
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Assist with data entry, promotional packages, mail outs etc
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Answer phone, take bookings for workshops; lantern carrier sign ups
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Poster and flyer distribution around Lismore and Northern Rivers area
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Prepare lanyards, schedules, photocopying
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Prepare wristbands for collection
General & domestic
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Make lunches for workers and volunteers (final week prior to event)
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Maintain cleanliness of the kitchen and toilet areas
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Tidy workshop
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Assist with ground maintenance (odd jobs and whipper snippering)
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Fixing shelves and repairing work areas
Set up for the Fiery Finale
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Help construct the Main Image, set, bonfire, fire props
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Set up LFX, sound
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Design and build the Ceremonial Gates
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Assist set up of perimeter and safety fences
In the Fiery Finale
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Dance performance
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Fire Choreography
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Carry lanterns
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Assist with light and sound
With the Parade on the day
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Drive lanterns to and from the assembly point - see below
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Set up in Riviera Carpark, Magellan Street
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Help with site set up Oakes Oval
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Assist preparation of parade assembly area
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Assist with lantern decorating in Market deLight
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At parade assembly directing people, answering questions, laying out lanterns for the parade, under supervision of parade manager
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Cleaning up the assembly area after parade leaves
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Parade marshaling
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Carry a lantern in the parade - nice to do in a group of friends
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Assist with parade assembly before it departs - gloriously chaotic!
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Participate in the finale
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Survey festival goers
Post Parade
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Help transport lanterns back to the workshop
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General site clean up - assembly and finale site
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Packing down fences and gateways
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Clean up fire pit area
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Clean up at the workshop
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Sort and pack away lanterns
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Send out thank you certificates
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Assist in report writing
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Assist with survey collation and evaluation
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Assist with the return of hire goods
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Assist with the return of sponsor banners etc
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Assist with filing, administration to finalise event activities
Other Specialised Roles
Lantern Transport
SATURDAY 20th June 9.00am - 12.30pm
A team to help deliver lanterns from the Lantern Workshop 289 Keen Street to the Riviera Car Park, Magellan Street Parade Assembly area
SUNDAY 21st June 9.00am - 12.30pm
Take the lanterns home from Oakes Oval to the Lantern Workshop, 289 Keen Street.
Utes and trailers welcome, but helping hands to LIFT and CARRY
(really important too)
Clean Up!
• Help to clean up the site of the fiery finale and derig the fire props -
Meet at the Oakes Oval 9.30am. SUNDAY 21st June and MONDAY 22nd June
Clean Up Angels have a special place in Lantern Heaven!
More Information
Jyllie Jackson
Festival Director
0412 732 102
festival@lanternparade.com
Enter the Enchanted Windows Project
Registrations Open Soon
The first Lismore Lantern Parade was held in 1994 in the heart of the city, and since 2008, Lismore businesses have joined in the celebration of Lismore and the Lantern Parade by creating spectacular displays in their shop windows.
It has been a crazy roller-coaster over the last few years, and it still is, but we are still here!
So, let’s take a "moment out of time" and celebrate our wonderful community and experience the light and joy of the Lantern Parade by creating your fabulous – Enchanted Windows.
The 2026 themes are inspired by the Chinese Year of the FIRE HORSE and the themes in our spectacular new event Heart Light Wearable Arts Awards and Gala. -
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Jurassic World
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Myths & Legends
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Trash & Treasure
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The Elements
And of course our ongoing theme of the Winter Solstice “The Return of The Sun”,
These theme create the motivation for the window displays, including a lantern, fairy lights, projections or shadow cut outs!
LightnUp can provide each entrant with a simple lantern and spare LED candle.
We request a small payment of $10 per entry to cover our costs. We will send you an invoice when you register.
The Enchanted Windows Trophy is awarded to one business after a rigorous judging takes place, and the winner announced via local and social media.
An Enchanted Windows map is created with Enchanted Window displays clearly marked
to enable people to wander “the block and beyond” to South Lismore to appreciate the creative illumination of businesses in Lismore.
Participating windows must include
• Lanterns, fairy lights OR projections (at least ONE)
• A display of the product, merchandise or service on sale through your business.
• LightnUp Inc will supply one pyramid lantern with LED candles, and all materials required for decorating your lantern. Decorating is not compulsory, but it is fun, no expertise required!
• LightnUp will provide special Enchanted Windows poster for your window and Lismore Lantern Parade posters/fliers.
• Lantern Kits will be delivered/picked up to each participating business by June 9th 2026.
• The Enchanted Windows must be ready for judging by 6pm on Tuesday June 16th and displays continue to at least Saturday June 28th.
For further information call –
Jyllie 0412732102 or Victoria, @The Artisans' Table 0416 375 000
Enchanted Windows - Lismore Lantern Parade 2026 produced by LightnUp Incorporated
Register a Market Stall at Market deLight
SORRY REGISTRATIONS CLOSED
Contact
Robyn Kelly - 0418 272 685 (evenings only)
2026 will see the iconic Lismore Lantern Parade celebrate 32 years of bringing light to the heart of our community. Many of this year’s participants and audience were probably in strollers or at school themselves at the first parade. Together, we have created a wonderful inter-generational heritage, fostering a strong resilient community celebrating together.
Our annual event is rich and deep within many people's hearts.
Our times seem to remain challenging, which makes the Lantern Parade all the more important to lighten the hearts of our communities. The Chinese Year of the Fire Horse is described as a time of moving forward with strength, let's do it!
Celebrate our fiery, connected hearts and renewed energy for the future.
What's new for you in 2026
We've listened and are creating a more vibrant and effective trading environment for you!
Extended Trading Hours: We're opening at 10.30am (concluding at 9.30pm) to maximise your opportunity to trade. We know many of you arrive early, and this extended time means more business for you.
Expanded Market Footprint: We are growing the Market deLight. Our main area will focus on the ‘heart’ of the city in Carrington Street and Magellan Street, with stalls in our laneways creating a larger market area, incorporating our local licensed venues.
Kids and Entertainment Hub: The HeartBeats Festival stage is moving to the Star Court Arcade (North) end of Carrington Street, which means the kids' space will be back in the heart of the market, generating great traffic for the stalls.
LightnUp Inc warmly invites you to participate as a stallholder in this year’s fabulous Market deLight showcasing the best, creative, unique and yummiest of the Northern Rivers’ fare.
Supporting local business.
The festival would like to offer Lismore businesses the opportunity to set up a Pop-Up Shop at the Market deLight, priority will be given to stall holders from the Lismore and villages and their stalls fees remain discounted.
Other Northern Rivers stallholders can be supported by negotiation.
The Market deLight activities will focus on the ‘heart’ of the city in Carrington Street and Magellan Street, with the market organically flowing into our vibrant laneways to incorporate the local art scene and create an expansive, connected market area.
There will be activities for kids and entertainment from the HeartBeats Festival stage, this year down at the Northern end of Carrington Street.There will be kids' activities throughout the market, with major draw cards all around. Music is on in the heart of the town at the end of Star Court Arcade.
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Applications
First round applications
OPEN 8th March
and
CLOSE at Midnight 1st May
Offers for positions at the Market deLight 2026 will be made by a selection process.
Your offer will be sent via email soon after the selection process.
A payment invoice will be included in your site offer.
Please ensure your invoice is paid in full by the due date on the invoice to secure your spot
at the Market deLight.
Got a question?
• Firstly - read the Registration Information carefully
Not got your answer?
• Then - Stallholder enquiries should be directed to
Robyn Kelly - 0418 272 685 (evenings only)
Please do not call the Lantern Workshop with questions about the Market deLight