Newburyport Lantern Festival

Illuminate the night. Honor a loved one. Support local women facing ovarian cancer.

A Night of Remembrance and Hope

In the Asian tradition, we gather to remember family and friends, and make wishes for the future. Who will you dedicate your lantern to? Whether you are remembering a loved one, honoring our dedicated healthcare and essential workers, or sending good wishes into the world, every lantern lit helps fund critical ovarian cancer research, education, and support for women undergoing treatment in our community.

The Essentials:

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026

Location: Frog Pond at Bartlet Mall, Newburyport, MA

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Reserve & Decorate Your Lantern

Decorated lanterns make thoughtful gifts! We’ll provide the decorating supplies, stencils, and even professional calligraphers—all free of charge.

  • Option A: At the Event: Lanterns are available right at the Frog Pond starting at 6:30 PM.

  • Option B: In Advance: Want more time to decorate? Pick up a kit in advance at Greetings by Design (6 Market Square, Newburyport) or order online and have it shipped.

Order Lanterns In Advance
Download Printable Shapes

  • 6:30 PM: Lantern pickup and decorating begins. (Decorating supplies, stencils, and calligraphers provided for free!)

  • 8:15 PM: Lighting Ceremony begins.

  • 8:30 PM: Lanterns float on the Frog Pond.

  • Cost: Free to attend! $10 suggested donation per lantern.

Event Schedule

Shedding Light on Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Shedding Light on Ovarian Cancer Awareness

Can't Make It to the Pond?

You can still participate! Pick up an advance kit (which includes a safe, battery-operated tea light) to display in your own backyard or on your front porch. You are welcome to order multiple lanterns to celebrate multiple memories and lots of good wishes!

Host a small neighborhood gathering, light your lanterns together, and share your beautiful photos with us using #NBPTlanternfest. Don't use social media? Email your photos to nbptlanternfest@gmail.com and we'll share them for you!

Watch the 2020 Archive Video

Safety & Environmental Guidelines

Please remember that the lanterns are flammable and should NOT be used with an open flame candle—battery lights are strictly required for home use. If you are floating lanterns on a private pond, please be environmentally responsible and collect all lanterns and battery tea lights at the end of your celebration.

Getting Here

We are committed to making this event accessible and enjoyable for everyone. For attendees needing specific accessibility assistance, please contact us.

Parking around Bartlet Mall is limited, so please arrive early to find a space nearby. Biking or carpooling is a great option! Downtown Newburyport has several public parking lots within a 5 to 10-minute walk, including the municipal parking facility and the Green Street parking lot.

Additionally, CVS graciously allows us to use the parking lot behind their building. Please be considerate of their business and do not park in the customer spaces at the front of the store. Thank you!

City of Newburyport Parking Lot Information

Get Involved: Call for Volunteers

Colorful illustration of a hummingbird with blue, green, yellow, and turquoise feathers, and a long beak.
Colorful illustration of a hummingbird with blue, green, yellow, and turquoise feathers, and a long beak.

Looking for a great way to give back? We'd love your help! We are looking for volunteers for set up, check in, lantern launch, and clean up.

Note: All volunteers must be over 18 or accompanied by an adult.

Local Businesses: Would any other local shop owners like to volunteer to help distribute our lanterns? Please let us know!

Sign Up to Volunteer

Thank you to our generous Lantern Festival Sponsors!

SPONSORS: ($1,000 plus)

Institution for Savings

Anna Jaques Hospital

The Kelly Mahoney Family Charitable Trust

Bortz-Boyer Family Charitable Fund in Honor of Trudy Bortz

Jonathan Lamson, in memory of his wife, Cheryl

Paul Flaherty

Catherine Green

PATRONS: ($500)

Newburyport Bank

MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS:

A paper lantern with colorful drawings and words like 'happy,' 'laughs,' 'friend,' 'artist,' and 'inspiration' floats on dark water during twilight.
A stone statue of Buddha next to a colorful sign with stars, a rainbow, and a bird, outdoors among green leaves.
A frog resting on a stone surface next to a colorful sign with peace sign and flower illustrations.
Row of illuminated paper lanterns on grass at night
Person using a glue gun to attach a small object to a package or box on a blue surface.
Three girls outdoors holding award certificates, smiling, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Woman smiling outdoors, holding a colorful painted canvas with a heart
A woman with glasses and a yellow shirt smiling with two young girls in pink and blue dresses at an outdoor event, a table with craft supplies in front of them.
People gathered around a table outdoors by a lake, engaging in an activity, with trees and a sign visible in the background.
A banner for the Ovarian Cancer Alliance with a green ribbon, sun, and cloud, displayed at an outdoor event with people in the background.
People release floating lanterns on a body of water during dusk.
Floating candles on water during evening with illuminated paper lanterns in the background
A colorful sign with peace symbols and flowers, held by gloved hands.