The North Carolina Museum of Art is hosting its first winter solstice lantern walk. Bundle up, bring your own lantern and join a peaceful procession of participants as they wind their way through the museum park and past commissioned works of art. This free, community-driven celebration will be held Saturday, Dec. 18 — a few days shy of winter solstice.
The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and is a significant occasion for many cultures and religions. The day has been marked by festivals and rituals since the Stone Age. This lantern walk is intended to bring the community together as we enter the darkest, coldest months of the year.
North Carolina Museum of Art’s Manager of Park Programs, Bryanne Senor, will be leading the walk.
“We are very excited to be hosting our own lantern walk, as inspired by the Hillsborough Art Council’s annual procession. The museum park is a beautiful place to gather and honor the approaching winter solstice and embrace the quiet beauty of the coming season,” Senor said.
“Join us to celebrate our inner light that shines brightly through the year!”
The group will depart from the Ellipse starting at 6 p.m. Those who do not bring a lantern from home will have the opportunity to make one on-site starting at 5 p.m. Homemade lanterns should be flame-free and made with white paper/material. For illumination, opt for battery-operated string or LED lights. Feel free to embellish lanterns with bells or chimes and make them as big or as little as you’d like — think outside of the box! Check out this video for inspiration.
Please leave pets at home and refrain from bringing glass containers, food or alcohol. This is an outside-only, accessible event with a distance of three-quarters of a mile. There is no need to register — just show up and prepare to shine!
For more information, visit ncartmuseum.org.
