October 14, 2026—On Saturday, November 21, 2026, the Water Lantern Festival comes to EpicCentral in Grand Prairie for the first time. The afternoon features food trucks, live music, and family fun, culminating in hundreds of glowing lanterns lighting the water at sunset. Voted the #1 festival in the world by USA Today, the Water Lantern Festival has launched more than 2 million lanterns in over 175 cities. Now, EpicCentral, recently named the Gold winner for Best Entertainment District in The Dallas Morning News’ 2026 Best in DFW: People’s Choice Awards, joins that list. “EpicCentral was built to bring people together, and the Water Lantern Festival does exactly that,” said Zane King, Creative Director for the City of Grand Prairie. “We’re thrilled to host this event for the first time. It gives families, friends, and neighbors from across North Texas a reason to slow down, share a meaningful moment, and see EpicCentral in a whole new light.”
An evening that unfolds in stages
The lantern launch is the centerpiece, but the festival is designed as a full afternoon and evening. Gates open at 2:30 PM, giving guests several hours to settle in before sunset. “When you first arrive, it feels like a fun outdoor festival,” said Tess Rowser, Marketing Manager for Water Lantern Festival. “We’ll have music, food trucks, activities, and plenty of time to find a spot, hang out, and decorate your lantern.”
The grounds fill with food trucks, local artist performances, vendors, games, and photo opportunities with Rapunzel, while an MC keeps the evening moving from one moment to the next. Rowser describes the early hours as upbeat and social, with families playing, friends grabbing food, and couples taking pictures. Around 5:00 PM, the mood shifts as guests begin decorating their lanterns and settle into the more reflective part of the experience. “We invite everyone to slow down and think about what they want to put on their lantern, whether that’s a goal, a memory, someone they love, or even something they’re ready to let go of,” Rowser said. Guests are then invited onstage to share what they wrote, followed by a guided meditation.
Every lantern tells a story
Each lantern carries a personal message or drawing, and no two are alike. Some guests write down their goals and dreams. Others list what they’re grateful for. Couples write about their future together, kids fill theirs with drawings, and families decorate side by side.
Some messages run deeper. “People write messages to loved ones they’ve lost or write down something difficult they’re ready to let go of,” Rowser said. “Sometimes an entire lantern is covered in writing and artwork, and sometimes it’s literally just one word.”
That freedom is what makes it resonate. “There really isn’t a right or wrong way to do it,” she said. “Everyone comes to the festival carrying a different story. Then you look out over the water and realize every lantern out there represents someone’s story.”
Something for everyone
The Water Lantern Festival draws families with young children, couples on date night, groups of friends, people celebrating birthdays and milestones, and those who come to remember someone they love. Children under 8 get in free. “The experience isn’t telling you what your lantern has to mean. You get to decide that for yourself,” Rowser said. “Someone sitting on one side of the park might be celebrating something really exciting, while someone a few feet away is reflecting on something much more personal.” When the lanterns meet on the water, those different reasons become one shared moment. “That’s really what our Radiant Tour and ‘We Shine Brighter Together’ are all about,” she said.
Insider tips for first-timers
- Arrive early. “Our biggest tip is don’t just show up for the lantern launch!” Rowser said. “Come early, grab some food, enjoy the music and activities, and give yourself plenty of time to decorate your lantern instead of rushing through it.”
- Bring a blanket. A blanket or a lawn chair makes the afternoon of hanging out and decorating more comfortable. Sunscreen, bug spray, and weather-appropriate clothes are smart too, since the event is rain or shine.
- Skip the pressure. “Don’t stress about creating the ‘perfect’ lantern,” Rowser said. “We see beautiful artwork, but we also see stick figures, kids’ drawings, handwritten notes, and single words. It’s meant to be personal to you.”
- Be present. Rather than hunting for the perfect viewing spot, Rowser suggests focusing on the moment itself. “You’re not just watching the lantern launch, you get to put your own lantern on the water and become part of it. That’s what makes the experience so different.”
Schedule of Events
2:30 PM Gates Open
2:30 – 6:30 PM Food Trucks, Music, And Fun
5:00 PM Design Your Lantern
5:30 – 6:30 PM Lantern Launch
6:30 PM Event Ends
“You look out over the water and realize every single lantern out there represents somebody’s story.”
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Where: EpicCentral, 2960 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Tickets: Each ticket includes a lantern kit, an LED candle, and markers. VIP, Date Night, and Family/Friends 4-Pack options are also available. Lanterns are biodegradable, use LED candles with no open flames, and are 100% collected after the launch.
Don’t miss the first-ever Water Lantern Festival at EpicCentral! Get your Water Lantern Festival tickets.