22/06/2026
And just like that, the longest night is behind us. What a weekend.
The 2026 Mansfield Lantern Festival is done -we're still glowing.
I knew coming into this weekend that the weather wasn't going to play nice. And it didn't. Friday brought drizzle, Saturday brought more of the same, and at various points across the three days the sky reminded us exactly why we hold this festival in winter.
But here's the thing - you came anyway. You pulled on your coats, grabbed your lanterns, and you showed up. Over 3,000 of you. In the rain. And it was magic.
The parade wound through the streets as it always does, lanterns bobbing and glowing in the dark. The fire shows lit up the night sky in a way that made the damp irrelevant. The plate spinning had people stopping in their tracks. The lantern workshops filled up, the food vendors did a roaring trade, and somewhere in between all of it, the festival brought people together.
Friday night's Il Salotto solstice dinner was really special - delicious food, good wine, and shared conversation. And on Sunday morning, those who weren't quite ready to let the weekend go found their way to Barefoot Studio Pilates Mansfield or yoga at the High Country Estate Winter Solstice Reset - the perfect way to celebrate the solstice.
This is now our 11th year, and I am incredibly grateful that this little idea - mark the solstice, gather the community, hold a light up against the dark - has become something that people travel for, plan around, and return to year after year.
None of this happens without an incredible amount of support:
✨To our sponsors - the Regional Events Fund, Community Bank Mansfield & District, Mansfield Shire Council, The Produce Store, and Doonbandit contracting - your support makes the Mansfield Lantern Festival possible. I'm so grateful for your belief in this event and in this community.
✨Our lantern workshop creators - Lou, Asha, Briony and Dion - your creativity was endless
✨To our vendors - the food stalls and drink vendors who brought warmth, flavour, and life to the site across the weekend - thank you for being part of what makes this festival feel like a celebration rather than just an event.
✨To our fabulous music makers - Abigail Wettenhall on Friday night, Martin Jones and Hoodoo Mayhem on Saturday night, and who could miss out the tremendous 60 person Glee Club West choir who sang throughout the day and night
✨And to our working crew - the team in pink (and yellow). You were on gates in the rain, managing crowds, bumping in and out in the dark, and doing it all with good humour and genuine care. This festival ran so smoothly because of you, and I couldn't be more proud to have you on the team. Thank you -Will, Guy, Amelie, Emily, Lenny, Nadia, Lana, Izzy, and Lizzie - you were brilliant.
🔥 To everyone who came, who made a lantern, who stood in the rain for a fire show, who drove from Melbourne for the weekend, who bought a ticket and showed up - thank you.
See you next year.
Alli Walker
Festival Director
PS - Feedback is always welcome. It helps to grow and shape the festival. If you have a few minutes I'd love your input. https://forms.gle/t54XByc5mGAa4upHA
📸Parade photos Dean Belle & Kathryn Ruddick
