Hundreds Gather for Water Lantern Festival at Maryland's National Harbor

The community-centered event allows participants to decorate and release floating paper lanterns onto the water.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 1:22pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph shot through condensation or rain-streaked glass, composed of soft, warm pools of light and color depicting the atmospheric mood of a community gathering by a body of water at dusk, with silhouetted figures and floating lanterns.Hundreds gathered at National Harbor in Maryland to release their hopes, dreams, and intentions into the water through the symbolic act of decorating and launching floating paper lanterns.Richmond Today

Hundreds of people took part in the first night of a weekend Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor in Maryland. The festival allows attendees to decorate floating paper lanterns with personal messages and release them onto the water, representing hopes, dreams, and intentions.

Why it matters

The Water Lantern Festival provides a unique community experience where people can come together to reflect, express gratitude, and find meaning through the symbolic act of releasing lanterns onto the water. The event has become a popular tradition at National Harbor, drawing visitors from across the region.

The details

According to organizers, the festival is a community-centered experience where participants can decorate a floating paper lantern with personal messages of love, hope, remembrance or intention, and release them onto the water. Attendees wrote messages on their lanterns expressing gratitude, sharing dreams for their children, and connecting with their faith.

  • The festival runs through the weekend, with water lanterns launched each night at about 7:30 p.m.
  • The first night of the festival took place on Friday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Jack Hawkins

A visitor from Richmond, Virginia who came to participate in the Water Lantern Festival.

Tee

An attendee who saw the lantern release as a symbol of hope during a difficult time in her life.

Alyssa Bailey

A participant who wrote about her faith and the love of Jesus on her lantern.

Jessica Hawkins

An attendee who views the event as a way to express her hopes and desires for the future.

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What they’re saying

“You're with friends, family and loved ones. You can put your dreams and hopes and everything in the lantern and, hopefully, they come true.”

— Jack Hawkins

“Life has been hard the last couple of months, and just the thought of being able to write it down and watch it flow away kind of connected with me.”

— Tee

“I actually just served a mission for my church and so I wrote about how Jesus loves me and how he cares for me and loves other people.”

— Alyssa Bailey

“I like the idea of getting your hopes and wants out, and putting it out in the world and watching what the future brings from there.”

— Jessica Hawkins

What’s next

The Water Lantern Festival at National Harbor will continue through the weekend, with lanterns being launched each night at around 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online for those interested in attending.

The takeaway

The Water Lantern Festival provides a unique opportunity for the community to come together, reflect on their hopes and dreams, and find meaning through the symbolic act of releasing lanterns onto the water. The event has become a beloved tradition at National Harbor, drawing visitors from across the region to participate in this uplifting and community-centered experience.