LIGHTS AND A PARADE OF FUN

VISITORS to the Dandenong Ranges will be able to soak in the joy of food, live music and performances and the community of the tree-lined Belgrave in the midst of winter.

The Belgrave Lantern Festival will be held on Saturday 24 June, celebrating the winter solstice with circus performers and local traders opening their doors for people to explore what the town has to offer.

The festival is a family-friendly event that attracts thousands of people from all over Melbourne and beyond, with the festival’s centerpiece a spectacular parade featuring hundreds of lanterns, each one crafted by members of the community. The lantern parade will see the main street light up with a sea of LEDs.

New laneway artworks will also be on display in Blacksmith’s Way; a gem tucked away in a cranny of the beautiful town. You can bring your own lantern to be a part of the flood of light, or even join a workshop on the night to make your very own.

“We are pretty much the largest lantern event in Victoria,” festival organiser Jeremy Angerson said.

“People come to get amongst it.

“Public transport is really good and being able to walk to the event is great, carpool is also an option.”

The streets are kept safe through traffic and transport protocols, with the township quarantined for entertainment from 5pm to 8pm.

“There’ll be plenty to eat, there’ll be plenty to see, there’ll be plenty of workshops and activities to partake in,” Mr Angerson said.

For children, there a workshops where they can create their own lanterns, as well as face painting and other fun activities.

“It’s an iconic event and it’s a beloved event for locals and more and more out of towners,” Mr Angerson said.

Engagement Rings