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Join The 2026 Lantern Parade

November 14 @ 4:45 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
The Lantern Parade on Hilton Head Island

The Hilton Head Lantern Parade is a must-attend event for the whole family. Thousands of people show up every year and walk the beach with homemade lanterns.

2026 Parade Route:

The parade’s starting point is near the Alder Lane beach access. The parade will step off at 5:45 this year, with lineup starting at 5:00 near Alder Lane heading north along the beach to The Beach House, crossing over to Lowcountry Celebration Park. Click the map below to see the route, parking areas, and shuttle location—Zoom in for more details.

Parking
Parking will be available at the following locations:

  • Coligny Beach Parking Lot
  • Former Wild Wings lot, 72 Pope Avenue
  • Former Aunt Chilada’s lot, 69 Pope Avenue.
  • First Baptist Church,100 S. Forest Beach Dr.
  • St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 50 Pope Avenue
  • USCB’s Hilton Head Island campus, 1 Sand Shark Dr. A shuttle will run from the USCB campus between 4:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., transporting spectators to and from the parade. Those using this lot are encouraged to drop off group members at the parade starting point or viewing area, with only one person per group riding the shuttle. Return shuttles from Lowcountry Celebration Park to USCB will operate until approximately 9:15 p.m.

Handicap Parking and Viewing Spaces

  • A portion of the southernmost section of the Coligny Beach Parking Lot (along the tree line near the South Forest Beach Drive access) will be reserved for handicapped parking and viewing areas. Volunteers will verify hangtags for all vehicles in this area.

Where to watch the parade
Spectators can watch the parade along the beach anywhere between Alder Lane and the Beach House or enjoy the finale at Lowcountry Celebration Park. If you can’t be at the parade in person, no worries. It will be live-streamed through the Beaufort County Channel.

Spectator Rules
For a safe and enjoyable experience, please observe the following rules:

  • Follow the instructions of all Town of Hilton Head Island staff, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies, security officers, and volunteers.
  • Please keep the parade route clear.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Please do not walk through or stand on the dunes.
  • Spectators can bring their dogs to the parade. But, for the safety of participants, dogs are not allowed to walk in the parade.
  • You can ride your bike to the parade, but you are not allowed to ride it in the parade.

Participant Rules

  • All participants need to have a lantern to march in the parade. Visit CultureHHI for information on lantern making workshops.
  • No passing or crowding the bands. Please follow the directions of security officers, volunteers and marshals.
  • All children must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Yield space to the large lanterns.
  • No bicycles.
  • Amateur-piloted drones are prohibited.
  • Please leave your pets at home.
  • No flaming (these are outlawed in the state) or flying lanterns.
  • If you are planning to march as a group, please email us at [email protected] with the group name, number of participants, and a contact email address and phone number.

Community Lantern Making Workshops – Lantern Workshops will be offered to the general public this fall at several organizations and businesses around Town.

Groups Marching in the Parade – Is your group planning to march in the parade together? Please email [email protected] to let us know. You’ll receive an assignment for which group to line up with at the beach. Please share the NAME OF THE GROUP and NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS. It is highly recommended for groups to carpool.

Activities at Lowcountry Celebration Park – 

  • Food trucks and beverages on site starting at 3 PM.
  • Concert by Groove Town Assault ahead of the parade’s arrival.
  • Live streaming of the Lantern Parade courtesy of the Beaufort County Channel.

Activities at Marriott Grande Ocean (near the parade starting point) – public is invited

  • Lanterns available for purchase
  • Food available
  • Live Musical Entertainment

Live Music at the Beach House’s Tiki Hut – TBD

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Details

Venue