🏮A lantern festival is returning to Brussels

Updated on September 21, 2026 by Pierre

We'd sensed it coming for a few weeks already: photos from the first edition were still circulating on social media when the announcement of its return finally arrived. The Water Lantern Festival is back in the Bois de la Cambre on September 19th and 20th, 2026 , for an evening that has already toured some fifty cities worldwide and brought together more than 500,000 people in its eight years of existence. Having sold out during its previous run in Brussels, the event returns with the ambition of doing even better, in the setting we all know: the banks of the Bois de la Cambre, amidst evening joggers and regulars walking their dogs.

The principle remains the same, and that's precisely what makes it so special: you receive a kit at the entrance (a lantern, a marker, a small LED candle), you take the time to write a wish, a memory, or a message for someone, you stroll around, have a bite to eat, and at sunset, you head to the water's edge to release your lantern along with thousands of others. It's the kind of moment that can't really be described; you have to be there.

🎶 Music, food and open stage all evening

Contrary to what you might think, it's not just a "we arrive, release a lantern, and leave." The event lasts about four hours and is structured like a real neighborhood party, only bigger. Local artists play live from the opening of the gates until the lantern release, creating an atmosphere that doesn't feel too contrived. Food and drink stalls are set up on site, with vegan and gluten-free options for those who need them.

One small detail that changes everything: at one point during the evening, the stage is opened to anyone who wants to come up. Taking the microphone, telling a story, saying a few words aloud in front of strangers gathered for the same reason, completely changes the atmosphere of an event that might otherwise remain very passive.

🌇 The program, minute by minute (or almost)

The gates open at 17 pm . So there's plenty of time to get settled, decorate your lantern at your leisure, and find a good patch of grass before it gets crowded. The lantern release is scheduled for around 20 pm , at sunset, and usually lasts between one and two hours, giving everyone time to place their lantern on the water. After that, you can stay and watch the spectacle until the end of the evening, as the lanterns drift gently on the pond.

Access to the park remains free and open to all , as always at Bois de la Cambre. However, to participate in the ceremony itself (receiving the kit and releasing your lantern), a ticket is required , available for purchase on the Fever app or website. A ticket office will also be present on site, but it's best to book in advance: the first Brussels edition sold out completely.

How much time should I allow on site?

Allow approximately four hours on site if you want to experience everything: arriving before sunset, decorating the lantern, a quick tour of the stalls, the concert, and then the ceremony itself. This is also ample time to combine it with an evening in Ixelles before or after.

🚇 A special weekend to go there

A nice coincidence this year: Sunday, September 20, 2026, is Car-Free Sunday in Brussels, with motorized traffic prohibited throughout the Region from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you were planning to drive that day, forget it, but it's a good excuse to reach the Bois de Boulogne on foot, by bike, or by public transport and enjoy a quieter city along the way. Saturday, September 19, will still be subject to normal traffic conditions.

The event takes place entirely outdoors, on the grass (no chairs are provided, so a blanket or folding chair is recommended), and it gets noticeably cooler after sunset: packing a sweater or light jacket will prevent any unpleasant surprises. The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility and strollers, dogs are welcome, and there is no minimum age to participate.

🌱 And afterwards, nothing is left on the water

This is the kind of question that inevitably comes to mind when you hear "thousands of lanterns on a pond": what about the environmental impact? The organizers emphasize a commitment to 100% lantern recovery after each event, with teams remaining on-site to restore the area. The lanterns themselves are advertised as eco-designed (paper, wood, LED candle), flameless and plastic-free. We can't verify this figure ourselves, but it's the promise made by the organizer, valid in every city where the event takes place.

📍 All the practical information

Meet at the Carrefour des Attelages (Carriage Crossroads), in the Bois de la Cambre (Ter Kamerenbos), 1000 Brussels , directly on the banks of the pond. Tickets can be purchased via the Fever app or at feverup.com, with free transfers possible if your plans change, but please note: once purchased, a ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. For any specific questions regarding accessibility or permitted items, the complete FAQ is available on the official event page.

Looking for more ideas for outings in the same area or at the same time? We've compiled our calendar of events in Brussels in September to help you extend your evening.