Browse by state · checked October 8, 2026

Lantern Festivals in Florida 2026

Sarasota’s Water Lantern Festival is the first verified Florida event in this guide. The organizer also lists a Fort Lauderdale launch in November, which is marked Pending Commission Approval, followed by Central Florida Zoo’s selected-night walk-through season in Sanford.

Upcoming Florida events, in date order

Sarasota Water Lantern Festival: October 17 at Nathan Benderson Park, 4:30–8:30 p.m.; launch 7:30–8:30 p.m. The organizer says onsite parking is available. Read the Sarasota guide.
Central Florida Zoo Asian Lantern Festival: selected nights November 13, 2026–January 17, 2027 in Sanford, 6–10 p.m. Read the Central Florida Zoo guide.
Fort Lauderdale Water Lantern Festival: November 21, 2026 at Mills Pond Park, 2:30–6:30 p.m.; launch 5:30–6:30 p.m. The organizer lists the event as Pending Commission Approval, so confirm the date and venue before planning travel. Read the Fort Lauderdale guide.

Water launch or walk-through display?

Sarasota and the pending Fort Lauderdale event are Water Lantern Festival launches, where participants decorate and release a lantern at a scheduled time. Central Florida Zoo is a separate-ticket outdoor walk-through display on selected nights; its full date span does not mean nightly operation. Fort Lauderdale’s status depends on commission approval, so verify it before purchasing or traveling.