The 25th Annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival is produced by the Secret Lantern Society
Date/Time: Dec 21 2018, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Vancouver, Granville IslandCost: $8.00
Find tickets: here
ONE FESTIVAL, MANY NEIGHBOURHOODS
A False Creek Community Association partnership with the Secret Lantern Society.
The winter solstice marks the longest, darkest night of the year. This dance of sun and earth has inspired celebrations of the human spirit throughout the ages, and our own Winter Solstice Lantern Festival illuminates the night with lanterns, fire, singing, dancing, music, storytelling, and the gorgeous Labyrinth of Light.
LANTERNS
Purchase a Lantern from the Front Desk for $15, or make your own in one of the workshops taking place from Dec. 8 - 21 at various locations:
***PROCESSIONS 6:00 PM***
1. Granville Island Ocean Artworks 6:00 - 6:20pm - 6:20pm Carnival Band leads the procession
2. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre - 6:00pm - procession
These 2 processions converge at the Water Park on Granville Island and are greeted by the traditional torch-lit Song Of Welcome by The Vancouver Morris Men. Participants may then proceed to either of the indoor venues outlined below:
***FALSE CREEK COMMUNITY CENTRE***
1318 Cartwright St.
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
After the procession, warm up inside with food and drink and a wonderful array of diverse performances and music. If you're curious about the origins of solstice, look for the lady in the top hat: that's Ritual Historian Shaughna Born who will tell you the sometimes bloody and epic stories ancient peoples told each other to explain the loss of the light. Be sure to experience Welsh Border Dances by The Vancouver Morris Men, who have been an essential part of this festival for the entire 25 years! for those interested in quieter pursuits you can make your own Nature Lantern with pressed flowers, twigs and leaves, or an expressive Organic Headdress made of ivy and evergreens.
**PROCESSION TO THE FIRE FINALE 9:15 PM**
The Carnival Band will gather folks from throughout the community centre and head out on a short procession along the boardwalk to Ron Basford Park where performers weave their fiery magic as a flaming sun sculpture lights the darkest night.
LABYRINTH OF LIGHT 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The labyrinth has long been used for meditation, prayer and sites of ritual in various cultures around the world. Created with over 600 pure beeswax candles, the winter solstice labyrinth invites you to warm yourself in a self-guided ceremony intended to help release old attachments and envision new possibilities as the darkest night of the year births a new season. Beautiful crystal bowl toning by Christine Paton.
TIMED TICKETS
To ensure a space in the Labyrinth and to minimize wait times, it is strongly recommended that you purchase your TIMED TICKET online.
Please arrive at the labyrinth 15 minutes before your scheduled time slot.
ONLINE TICKET SALES
$8 - Children under 13 FREE. Please visit on-site box office for complimentary tickets for eligible children. Advance online ticket sales end Dec 20, midnight. Ticket purchases are non-refundable. All sales are final.
TICKETS AT THE DOOR
$8 - Tickets are available at the door from 5:30 PM onward. Cash only. Children under 13 FREE.
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