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Water lantern festival

Upcoming

San Diego Water Lantern Festival

Santee, California

The organizer advertises this event as San Diego and lists December 12–13, 2026 — but the verified venue is Santee Lakes in Santee, California, a separate municipality in San Diego County. Gates open at 2 p.m. Pacific; the launch runs 5–7 p.m.

Official ticketsOfficial event website

Last verified · 2 official sources

At a glance

Quick facts

Usual hours
Saturday and Sunday, December 12–13, 2026, each beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific. Gates open at 2 p.m.; food, music and activities run 2–7 p.m.; lantern decorating begins at 4:30 p.m.; the water launch runs 5–7 p.m., when the event ends.
Tickets
1 official ticket options listed
Format
Water lantern festival
Organizer
Water Lantern Festival

Status & verification

Event status and verification

Upcoming The published season is December 12, 2026 – December 13, 2026. This label describes the season, not whether the gates are open right now.

Last verified · 2 official sources

Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Dates & hours

December 12, 2026 – December 13, 2026

  1. Saturday and Sunday, December 12–13, 2026, each beginning at 2 p.m. Pacific. Gates open at 2 p.m.;

    Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

  2. food, music and activities run 2–7 p.m.;

    Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

  3. lantern decorating begins at 4:30 p.m.;

    Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

  4. the water launch runs 5–7 p.m., when the event ends.

    Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Tickets & prices

Choose your ticket on the official event page. Published price amounts could not be independently confirmed during this check.

Official ticket optionsThe organizer lists ticket options and advertised starting prices for this event. Prices and availability can change; confirm the selected date and current total on the official page.Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗
View official tickets

Prices, fees, and availability may change. The organizer’s current terms control.

Location & directions

Santee Lakes
9310 Fanita Pkwy, Santee, CA 92071
Open directions ↗
Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Parking & transportation

What to expect

  • Participants decorate a floating lantern and join the scheduled water launch, with food trucks, music, and activities listed before the launch. This is a water lantern launch rather than a walk-through display.Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗
  • The organizer advertises this event as San Diego, but its venue listing places the launch at Santee Lakes in Santee, California, a separate municipality in San Diego County.Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Kids & family

Accessibility

Weather & cancellation

Tips before you go

Explore this area

California water-lantern guide

Frequently asked questions

When is the San Diego Water Lantern Festival?

The organizer lists December 12 and 13, 2026, each beginning at 2 p.m., with the lantern launch scheduled for 5–7 p.m.

Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗
Is the San Diego Water Lantern Festival actually in San Diego?

The organizer advertises the event as San Diego, but its venue listing places it at Santee Lakes, 9310 Fanita Pkwy, in Santee, California, a separate municipality in San Diego County.

Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Official sources

These pages were checked on October 8, 2026. Follow the organizer’s current instructions if anything changes.

Update history

  • — Created from the organizer’s December 12–13, 2026 event listing; clarified that the advertised San Diego event is held at Santee Lakes in Santee. Ticket prices and availability can change; verify the current total before purchase.Water Lantern Festival San Diego event page ↗

Last verified · 2 official sources

Event details can change. Check the official event page before your visit.

Official tickets