There are images that look like they’re straight out of a movie. For example, a lake at sunset with thousands of lights floating on the water. A scene typical of Thai festivals, which this time can be experienced in Madrid: after touring various cities around the world, the prestigious Water Lantern Festival is coming to Spain’s capital.
For just two nights, on September 18 and 19, the North Pond in Juan Carlos I Park will be transformed into a luminous landscape for a few hours. A fleeting event to bid farewell to summer in a different way: by writing a message, a memory, or a wish and watching it become part of a collective spectacle on the water. In short, a visually stunning event to end the summer with a renewed spirit.
31 October 2026 16:00 + more dates
A highly prestigious festival
According to the organizers, the Water Lantern Festival has already captivated more than half a million visitors in over 50 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, with more than two million lanterns glowing on the water. Now it’s Madrid’s turn.
More than just a spectacle to watch from the shore, the Water Lantern Festival invites attendees to play a key role in the festival’s entire experience. Upon arrival, each attendee will receive a kit containing a lantern and markers to personalize it before setting it afloat on the water. Additionally, the experience is designed to be shared: the Couples Pack includes a picnic blanket so you can settle in by the lake and wait for the sun to set. It’s also an event that’s perfect for families and groups of friends.
How long does it last?
The Water Lantern Festival is a fleeting experience, but its image will remain in your memory. On September 18 and 19, the event kicks off before nightfall, around 6:30 p.m., when the lawn of Juan Carlos I Park transforms into a vast space for collective relaxation that is, at the same time, intimate. As evening falls, live music and culinary offerings will entertain the attendees.
As the sun fades, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., the highlight of the event takes place with the simultaneous release of illuminated lanterns into the water. The result is a mesmerizing spectacle, with Madrid serving as the backdrop.
A farewell that leaves no trace
There’s something important to note: when it’s time to head home, a team will be on hand to collect all the lanterns, which are 100% sustainable ( made of biodegradable rice paper with a wooden base). In keeping with its commitment to the environment, the organization’s goal is to leave no trace behind so that Juan Carlos I Park can wake up to a morning just like any other.