This year, a Belgrave Traders fundraising drive brought home the bacon to get the beloved Lantern Parade over the line in 2025.
With a 15-year-old event in jeopardy, there were some, truthfully many, that put a line – a statement in the sand, saying: ‘I don’t think so.’
It seems that when a grand thing, a big thing, a kind and joyous bearing thing is under threat, good humans will always stand up, to keep the goodness flowing. And because of this, the Belgrave Lantern Parade survives another year.
On Saturday 21 June from 5pm – 8.00pm, this historic event will again touchdown in Belgrave. With over 10,000 revellers, a giant congregation of locals, out-of-towners, day trippers and tourists will swell into the streets, alleyways, nooks and crannies of Belgrave, attracted to the celebration of art, light and community in the hills.
‘Activated’ spaces and creative precinct ‘pop-ups’ featuring art, music, circus arts, market stalls, workshops, DJs, bands, youth stages, solo artists, food trucks, fire-pits and more await.
This free event stands out as a beacon of goodwill, care and passion, which in this final hour found a sympathetic sponsor in OPTUS. Thankfully, Bendigo Bank, ATC traffic, Yarra Ranges Council, Bell Real Estate, Tacos and Tequila and the Belgrave Traders also stepped in and stepped up to help fill the cup.
On the longest night of the year, we invite you to experience and re-experience Belgrave anew. June 22 is a homage to light, the imagination and to the community that illuminates, nourishes and informs how Belgrave and the hills communities live, work and play together.
