News Release

2024 Lantern Parade

A Night of Lights, Music & Community Spirit – Plan Ahead

November 18, 2024

Get ready to see Hilton Head Island’s night sky and Coligny Beach coastline light up this Saturday, November 23, during the Town’s annual Lantern Parade.

This dazzling event, featuring the creations of acclaimed lantern artist Chantelle Rytter, celebrates Hilton Head Island’s rich history, vibrant ecology, and cherished community residents. The parade will showcase hundreds of colorful lanterns designed by residents, visitors, schools and local organizations. Four bands will participate in the festivities - the Black Sheep Ensemble, Soda City Band, the United States Marine Corps Dirty Boots Brass Band and the Atlanta Drum Academy.

If you’re attending the Lantern Parade or traveling near the route, here’s how to prepare and make the most of your evening:

Time

The parade will line up at 4:45 pm and step off at 5:30 pm. The route will follow north along the Beach from Alder Lane to Coligny Beach Park and continue along North Forest Beach Drive to Avocet and Lagoon roads. The beginning of the parade is expected to arrive around 6:30 pmat Lowcountry Celebration Park.

Parking

Limited parking will be available at First Baptist Church (100 S. Forest Beach Drive), St. Luke’s Church (50 Pope Avenue), USCB Hilton Head Island campus (1 Sand Shark Drive), and the Coligny Beach parking lot. A shuttle will be available from 4:15 pm to 9:15 pm at USCB to take spectators to and from the parade. Pro tip: Consider dropping off your group at the parade starting point or viewing area and having only one member of your party use the shuttle.

A limited number of temporary handicapped parking spaces are also available at the Coligny Plaza parking lot, near the Piggly Wiggly.

Watch the Parade

Spectators can watch along the beach between Alder Lane and Coligny Beach Park, along North Forest Beach Drive, Avocet Lane, Lagoon Road, or enjoy the finale at Lowcountry Celebration Park.

Spectator Rules

For a safe and enjoyable experience, please observe the following rules:

• Follow the instructions of all Town of Hilton Head Island staff, Beaufort County Sheriff's Office deputies, security officers, and volunteers.
• Please keep the parade route clear.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please do not walk through or stand on the dunes.
• Spectators can bring their dogs to the parade. But, for the safety of participants, dogs are not allowed to walk in the parade.
• You can ride your bike to the parade, but you are not allowed to ride it in the parade.

Participant Rules

• All participants need to have a lantern to march in the parade.
• No passing or crowding the bands. Please follow the directions of volunteers and marshals.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Yield space to the large lanterns.
• No bicycles.
• Please leave your pets at home.
• No flaming (these are outlawed in the state) or flying lanterns.

Advance Happenings

If you'd like to gather before the parade, head over to Loggerhead Landing at the Marriott Grande Ocean, accessible via the Alder Beach Lane pathway. Food trucks will be onsite, with Lowcountry Fresh serving at 12 pm and Peculiar Pig starting at 1 pm. Starting at 3 pm, enjoy a lantern-making workshop and live music by Darryl Van Horne, performing as Tha Sole Mate.

Activities at Lowcountry Celebration Park

Join us ahead of the parade at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Food trucks (Melly Mel’s Lawyers BBQ, Taco Brown, Kona Ice, Crumbl, and Palmetto Kettle Corn) and beverages will be available beginning from 3 pm to 9 pm. The parade is expected to begin arriving at the park around 6:30 pm. During this time, spectators will have the opportunity to admire the beautiful lanterns up close while enjoying live music, food vendors and beverages until 9 pm. Groove Town Assault will perform beginning at 5:30 pm.

Shuttle service to parking areas will continue until approximately 9:15 pm. For additional information on the Lantern Parade, visit www.culturehhi.org.