Water Lantern Festival London 2025: Everything You Need to Know (Plus a 10% Off Code!)
Image courtesy of Water Lantern Festival
There’s something quietly breathtaking about standing at the edge of a lake, surrounded by hundreds of softly glowing lanterns drifting into the night.
That’s exactly the kind of magic the Water Lantern Festival brings and this October, London gets to be part of it.
Whether you’re looking for a new autumn ritual, a meaningful night out with friends, or just something beautifully different to do in the city… this is one of those events you’ll actually remember.
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What Exactly Is the Water Lantern Festival?
The Water Lantern Festival is an internationally touring celebration that blends art, reflection, and community.
Attendees receive their own floating lantern kit complete with an LED tealight and a marker. They decorate it with messages, memories, wishes, or drawings before launching it onto the water with hundreds of others.
The result? A calm, glowing sea of light that feels both personal and collective like your little story is part of something bigger.
This year, the festival arrives in London’s Clapham Common on October 11 and 12, 2025, with activities beginning in the late afternoon and lantern launches timed to sunset.
Why It’s Worth Going
It’s visually stunning.
As night falls, the lanterns light up the water in golden reflections. It’s quiet, cinematic, and unforgettable.
It’s for everyone.
This is one of those rare events that works for solo visitors, couples, families, or big friend groups. Kids under 8 can even enter free with a paying adult.
It’s eco-conscious.
Unlike sky lantern releases, the floating lanterns are designed to stay close, and the festival team retrieves them all at the end of the night.
It’s more than just lanterns.
Expect a relaxed festival vibe with music, food vendors, and community activities before the big launch.
When & Where
📍 Location: Clapham Common, South London
📅 Dates: October 11 & 12, 2025
⏰ Time: Entry opens roughly three hours before sunset (around 3:30 pm), with lantern launches after dusk.
Tickets start at around £29 for General Admission (early bird pricing), and include your lantern kit.
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(This is an exclusive promo code, not an official festival code.)
What to Expect on the Day
The festival isn’t rushed. It’s designed to help you ease into the moment.
Arrive in the late afternoon, grab food or drinks from the stalls, and explore the space.
Decorate your lantern with whatever feels right a message, a name, a hope for the future.
Find your spot by the water and wait for dusk.
As the sky turns deep blue, the lantern launch begins. Lanterns drift slowly, and everything gets beautifully quiet.
Stay a little after your launch to walk the water’s edge and watch others float theirs.
The event usually lasts a few hours, with plenty of time to settle in.
How to Make It Special
1. Write from the heart.
Don’t overthink it. A name, a hope, a thought is it all matters.
2. Bring warm layers.
London evenings in October get chilly. A hoodie or blanket makes a big difference.
3. Capture, then pause.
Take a few photos early, then just enjoy the moment.
4. Arrive early.
You’ll get a better spot by the water and time to settle in.
5. Don’t stress about cleanup.
The festival is eco-responsible and retrieves all lanterns after the event.
What Makes London’s Edition Unique
Central Location: Clapham Common is easy to reach by Tube and gives the event a relaxed, communal atmosphere.
Autumn Timing: Lanterns look extra stunning in early darkness with crisp air.
London’s mix of stories: You’ll see hopes, wishes and names written in dozens of languages, all drifting together.
Festival vibe: Music, lights, food, quiet magic is it’s a beautiful balance.
Tips & Practical Notes
This isn’t a fireworks show it’s a gentle, ambient experience.
Launch times are based on sunset, so check the schedule for your day.
Bring something to sit on if you plan to stay by the water.
All lanterns are collected after the event don’t try to wade into the water.
Arrive early if you want a front-row spot.
A Little Itinerary Example
3:30 pm: Arrive, check in, grab food.
4:30–5:30 pm: Decorate your lantern, explore the grounds.
Sunset: Join the lantern launch. Watch the water fill with light.
After launch: Walk, talk, breathe, reflect. Maybe grab dessert from a food stall on your way out.
Final Thoughts
The Water Lantern Festival isn’t about big crowds or loud music. It’s about quiet joy, shared hope, and a rare moment of stillness in the middle of a busy city.
If you’ve been looking for something in London that feels different not touristy, not chaotic this is one to add to your list.
Use code KITETODAY for 10% off your ticket
📍 Clapham Common, October 11–12, 2025
And if you want more hidden gems, meaningful events and real London experiences, follow @london.yaar on Instagram. We’ll keep you in the loop — not with generic lists, but with the good stuff locals actually love.
See you under the lantern light.