10 May 2026 Lanterns Festival at Wildwood Park for the Arts lights the nights

Lanterns on the water lit up the evening recently at Wildwood Park for the Arts. The 2026 Lanterns! West Little Rock’s Festival of Lights and Cultures was held on April 18.

The annual festival celebrates cultural diversity with fun, family-friendly activities and food while bringing the community together through shared experiences, creativity and storytelling. Different areas of the park represented China, Japan, Egypt, Honolulu, Italy and even The Land of Oz. Each area featured characters, crafts and activities for children, along with art, music, food and drinks.

Guests enjoyed a wide range of attractions, including camel rides, hot air balloon rides, a crocodile scavenger hunt and a show in the park’s theater showcasing multicultural dancing and singing. As the sun set, the park transformed into a glowing landscape of color and light, with each area offering its own unique atmosphere.

Beyond the evening’s entertainment, the festival plays an important role in supporting Wildwood’s mission. Proceeds help preserve the park’s 105 acres of natural beauty while providing nature, arts and music education opportunities for children and adults. The event also supports future concerts, stage productions and community festivals, helping ensure the park remains a vibrant cultural destination and a free resource for the public year-round.

One of the evening’s most meaningful traditions was the release of wish lanterns, where visitors wrote personal messages, hopes or tributes before sending them into the night sky. While lanterns could be launched throughout the event, many waited until dark to watch the sky fill with glowing lights.