El Paso Water Lantern Festival Sets 2021 June Date
After being postponed and rescheduled numerous times due to the pandemic, the El Paso Water Lantern festival is finally going to happen.
Now that the green-light has been given to large gatherings, the Water Lantern Festival is returning to Ascarate Park this month. On Saturday, June 19, 2021, Ascarate Lake inside Ascarate Park will once again be transformed into a spectacular wonderland of floating lights when the event hits town.
Along with what I imagine is a Zen-like experience of collectively releasing lanterns and lighting up the water, festival attendees can also enjoy food from some of El Paso's favorite food trucks, as well as music and other entertainment.
Tickets for "the premier water lantern festival" are on sale now and can be purchased at the event website. Each adult ticket gets you entry into the festival area, a floating water lantern, and a marker so you can design your lantern, write your hopes and wishes on them or a note to loved ones who have passed.
If You Bought Tickets to the Event Last Year
The El Paso Water Lantern Festival was originally scheduled for March 2020 and postponed several times because of the Covid outbreak. Anyone who bought tickets to this last year can use them this year, according to a communication with an event official.
"If participants bought tickets last year then we have automatically transferred their tickets over to the new festival date. All they have to do is show up with the tickets they purchased last year, and they will be granted access to the festival," the Water Lantern rep informed me.
2021 Event Schedule
4:30
Gates Open
4:30 - 7:00
Food Trucks / Music / Entertainment
6:30
Design your Lantern
7:00 - 8:00
Lantern Launch
9:00 p.m.
Event ends
Parking
"Parking fee is $5. Cash only. The fee applies to all vehicles entering, regardless of intended park use."