Berwyn Lantern Parade
Saturday, September 26th, 2026
Location: Proksa Park
Time: 6:30–8:30pm
Rain Date: October 17, 2026
Upcoming Workshops
Scroll down for details
September 15th, 5:30-7:00PM
Berwyn North District 98 Family Lantern-Making Night
Lincoln Middle School Commons | Berwyn, IL 60402
September 9th, 16th, or 23rd, 7:00-9:00PM
Teens & Adults Lantern Making Workshops — Ages 13+
Grey Phoenix Art Studio | 3730 - 3732 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513
Friday, September 18th, Noon-1PM
Lantern Making Workshop — Ages 55+
North Berwyn Park District | 1619 Wesley Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402 | Phone: (708) 749-4900
Teens & Adults Lantern Making Workshops
Ages 13+
September 9th, 16th, or 23rd, 7:00-9:00PM
Grey Phoenix Art Studio | 3730 - 3732 Prairie Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513
In celebration of the Berwyn Lantern Festival, the studio will be creating lanterns all month! Create a beautiful handmade lantern that brings warmth, light, and your own artistic style to life. In this hands-on workshop, participants will have help in the process of designing and constructing a decorative lantern using a variety of mixed-media materials and simple sculptural techniques. However, the lantern workshop will also be a haven for artists to work independently on their own designs.
Explore color, texture, pattern, and composition as you personalize your lantern with paper, paint, and other decorative elements the studio will provide. Whether you prefer a modern, whimsical, or nature-inspired design, you'll have the freedom to create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your creativity.
This workshop is perfect for beginners as well as experienced makers looking to explore a new medium in a relaxed, supportive environment. The instructor Terri will be making a lantern that each artist can follow, but this is not a requirement. Sign up for one or all 3 to continue your creation or create a new one!
Participants will:
Design and build a functional decorative lantern
Learn basic lantern construction techniques
Explore mixed-media materials, color, and texture
Complete a unique lantern
Skill Level: Beginner-friendly; no prior experience required.
All materials are included to design your lantern, but please feel free to bring supplies that you would like to incorporate into your unique lantern. Some lighting will be provided for your lantern but feel free to bring your own.
Register here.
Lantern Making Workshop
Ages 55+
Friday, September 18th, Noon-1PM
North Berwyn Park District | 1619 Wesley Ave., Berwyn, IL 60402 | Phone: (708) 749-4900
Create your own beautiful lantern in this fun, hands-on workshop! Learn simple decorating techniques, express your creativity, and take home a unique handmade lantern. All materials are provided.
1 day workshop
Ages: 55+ yrs.
Day: Friday
Date: 9/18
Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
D/ND Fee: Free
Location: Community Center
Code: 164105A
Min/Max: 5/20
past Workshops
Kids & Family Yoga & Lantern Making Workshop
Ages 0 mos- 13 years
Sunday, September 6th, 10:00-11:45Am
The Treehouse | 1 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546
Create beautiful and glowing lanterns with the Berwyn Public Art Initiative! Unleash your creativity with this fun, eco-friendly workshop. All materials will be provided including a base lantern, decorating supplies, and a light.
Then join us in the movement studio for more fun with a family yoga session! Families will move, groove, stretch & sing together and then take a peaceful "yoga nap" rest before heading home with their new lantern creations!
COST: $20 per child/grown-up OR $40 per family of 4
Extra Lanterns are $10/each
Bring your lantern to the Berwyn Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 26th 2026 in Proksa Park. Live music will keep the vibes high while we walk with our luminous lanterns.
Animal Head Wearable Lanterns Workshop with Susan Hall
Wednesday, August 5th, 6:30-9PM
Berwyn Lantern Parade MakerSpace | 7003 Cermak Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402
Join Berwyn artist Susan Hall in creating one-of-a-kind wearable lanterns. Several animal head molds will be provided, with plenty of opportunity to learn how to make a customized mold for your own lantern creation. These lanterns are sure to turn heads at the second annual Berwyn Lantern Parade September 26th, so be sure to bring them along!
This is a workshop for ages 18+.
Bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Gyros will be provided by Grecian Delight Kronos.
Register for the workshop here, and tell your friends!
20 Seats Available, please email us at info@berwynpublicartinitiative.org to be waitlisted if no ticketing option appears.
Illuminated Wearables Workshop with Carolyn Kassnoff
Sunday, July 26th 10AM
Berwyn Lantern Parade MakerSpace | 7003 Cermak Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402
Join maker and owner of the shop Hey, I Thought Of You, Carolyn, for a bright and colorful craft! We will illuminate stuffed animals with EL wire (plastic TRON-style wire powered by 2 AA batteries)! We will sew the EL wire onto the stuffed animals, and be able to take home our creatures that day. We will have a variety of plush animals to choose from, but you are also welcome to bring your own, all materials are provided. These look so cool at night, so be sure to bring your glowing animal to the Berwyn Lantern Parade on Saturday, September 26th.
Want to bring a sweater, t-shirt or sign instead of a stuffed animal? Feel free! No sewing experience needed. Please add in the comments if you will be bringing your own stuffed animal/material.
Attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
Each ticket represents 1 wearable lantern. Register for the two hour workshop here. You won’t want to miss it!
Looking Back: Inaugural Lantern Parade 2025
Scroll this page to learn about:
Lantern Templates & Resources
Parade Details — September 26th, 6:30pm
Lantern Parade Rules
Our Sponsors
A Special thank you to our community partners Berwyn Public Library, South Berwyn Park District, North Berwyn Park District who are supporting and hosting the workshops and the lantern parade.
Lantern Templates to download (click on picture)
Lantern Making Resources
How to Make Lanterns video from Eden Project Communities
Chantelle Rytter and Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons Lantern Ideas and Inspiration
Craft Bunker's How to Make Fish Lanterns
Upcycled Plastic Bottle Lanterns from the Newbury Town Library
And if you want to go big: How to Build a Giant Lantern from Small Pond Arts
Here is our Lantern Committee’s Pinterest Board for inspiration
Berwyn Lantern Parade
September 26th, 6:30–8:30pm
Proksa Park
Join us in celebrating our creative community, Saturday, September 26th from 6:30-8:30pm.
We’ll be meeting at the flagpole in Proksa Park for the inaugural Berwyn Lantern Parade.
We’ll parade within the park and enjoy live music while meeting friends new and old.
Make sure to bring your lantern! If you don’t have one, we will have a few available just in case.
Whether you'd like to walk the parade with us or watch the fun as a spectator; residents, visitors, schools, local organizations, and businesses, everyone is invited to make a lantern and join in the fun.
Photos by Joel Gonzalez
Lantern Parade Rules/ Reglas del desfile de farolillos:
Hand-held, non-flying lanterns only! / Sólo linternas portátiles no voladoras.
Battery-operated lights only, no candles or flame! / Sólo luces a pilas, ¡nada de velas ni llamas!
No pets, no bikes/ No se admiten animales ni bicicletas
No passing / No se permite adelantar
If you need to stop, step to the side / Si necesita detenerse, apártese a un lado
Leave no trace! / ¡No dejes rastro!
Thank you to our Sponsors
$500+ Glow Sponsors:
$250+ Spark Sponsors:
$100+ Shimmer Sponsors:
$1-99 Supporters
Support this event with a Sponsorship or Donation, download the form!
Workshop costs range from $250-500, your sponsorship or tax-deductible donation helps us set off these costs, and provide free or low-cost programming to your community.
June 15 – August 1, 2026
7003 Cermak Road
In Cermak Plaza, South-East Corner, between Shoe Carnival and Ross.
Thank you Berwyn Development Corporation, City of Berwyn, North Berwyn Park District, and Concordia Realty for your partnership in making the Berwyn Lantern Parade MakerSpace happen. Many lanterns were created in the space through open studio sessions and workshops. Learn more about the space, guidelines, and past special events like workshops and Wednesday Open Studio Sessions.
