All times are tentative.

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Lantern Decoration

Lanterns and art supplies will be available from 6:00 to 7:30 to decorate with art, messages, memorials, or anything else you’d like until supplies run out. $5 donation per lantern suggested. Lanterns may also be decorated before the event — click here for more information.

6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Community Performances

Fun community performances begin the program, which includes youth, amatuer, and professional music and dance throughout the early evening. Between each performance, community DJs will spin diverse tunes. Times are approximate.

Performances to be announced soon!

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Food Vendors

Food from faith-based and ethnic organizations and small businesses will be available for sale during the entire length of the event. This is the only opportunity to sample food from some of these vendors outside of the Lowell Folk Festival!

Say Da Nar: Burmese Street Food

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church: Greek Pastries and Gyros

St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish: Latin/Spanish Street Food

Purple Carrot: American Comfort Food

Panela: Traditional Columbian Fare

Drinks Tent: Craft beers, hard seltzer, and hard cider

7:30 pm - 8:15 pm
Main Program

A special program with prayers, dedications, and announcements will come right before the launch of the lanterns. It’s the moment we all come together before the main event!

8:15 pm
Lantern Launch

At sundown, our volunteers will launch the hundreds of lanterns into the Western Canal. This is a participatory event, as the audience is invited to carry lanterns to the launch point. The lanterns will slowly fill the canal over the next hour.

Kick-off: Wong Pleng Khmer

The Wong Pleng Khmer is led by master musician, Sovann Khon! An immersion into the music of non-western cultures, the Cambodian Ensemble provides instrumental and vocal instruction in the Cambodian tradition. The Ensemble will provide a fitting backdrop to the launching of the lanterns. 

Tee and the Gents standing in a park in white shirts
Tee & The Gents

8:45 pm - 9:45 pm
Tee & The Gents Dance Party

We’re thrilled that the homegrown greats, Tee & The Gents are able to make the rain date! These eclectic local favorites have an R&B and funk sound and jam with original songs and covers of fan favorite pop classics. They sum it up: “We love life. We love laughter. We live for music.” They are not to be missed!
 
Before and during the performance, New England’s famous Circque de Light will perform LED dances.