Water Lantern Festival
Join us for a breathtaking evening of glowing lanterns, meaningful moments, and unforgettable memories.

Lakeside Lawn, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
21 - 22 February 2026
5pm – 9pm
4 hours
A magical first, light up the night
Set within one of Australia’s most beautiful and important botanic gardens, this unforgettable experience brings people together to decorate lanterns, write messages of hope, love, and remembrance, and release them onto the water as they glow under the night sky.
Surrounded by nature and inspired by the Garden’s mission of caring for plants and the planet, the evening feels both meaningful and serene.
Our lanterns are made from biodegradable, eco-friendly materials, and after the event our team carefully retrieves every lantern and cleans the surrounding area -working closely with the Garden to respect and protect this special environment. Guests are encouraged to celebrate responsibly while enjoying the natural beauty that makes Mount Annan so unique.
With softly glowing lanterns, delicious food vendors, live music, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, it’s more than an event; it’s a shared moment of reflection, connection, and wonder.
Whether you come with family, friends, or someone special, Water Lantern Festival is the perfect way to slow down, connect, and create meaningful memories together - while celebrating in a place dedicated to conservation, biodiversity, and a thriving natural world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Water Lantern Festival is a magical and unforgettable event where families, friends, and communities come together to celebrate life, love, and hope. People of all ages and backgrounds gather for an evening filled with inspiration and connection. As thousands of lanterns float across the water, their soft glow reflecting in the night, you'll experience a breathtaking scene that creates lasting memories and touches the heart.
Visit the Water Lantern website for more information here.
The event will be hosted at Lakeside Lawn. Parking will also be impacted.
Yes! Our Garden will remain open to visitors until standard closing time of 7pm.
We are committed to complying with all legislations and guidelines covering amplified sound levels at outdoor events. There will be live musicians on Lakeside Lawn between 6pm – 7pm. Messages can be sent to [email protected] or if there are any urgent issues please phone the duty ranger on 0409 122 953.
In the event of unsafe weather or if local authorities advise, the event may need to postpone the event to a later date. If this happens, you’ll be promptly notified via email, and the Water Lantern Festival social media pages and website will be updated accordingly.
All patrons must enter the Garden prior to 7pm. Free parking is available within the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Please adhere to guidance from traffic controllers while parking. The use of rideshare services is strongly encouraged when possible. Please note: if there is wet weather in the lead-up to the event, parking will be extremely limited.
The Water Lantern Festival shares the Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s commitment to caring for our environment and protecting precious natural resources. The lanterns are crafted from sustainable materials such as wood and biodegradable paper, ensuring they are biodegradable and eco-friendly. After the event, the team carefully retrieves every lantern and removes any litter from the water and surrounding areas.
We provide event information via our website, newsletters and social media.
To stay informed, subscribe to our newsletter here or follow us on social media @BotanicSydney.
We have a range of venues for hire to suit a variety of different needs. Explore our venues and lawns here.
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