FIND INFORMATION ON THE WALK:
The Hillsborough Arts Council’s (HAC) annual Solstice Lantern Walk is a celebration of the winter solstice-- the longest night of the year and the start of the winter season. Since 2016, HAC has invited participants to join a processional of over 2,000 walkers carrying handmade white lanterns through the quiet darkness along Riverwalk from River Park to Gold Park and back again. This year, for the safety of our community, the 5th annual Solstice Lantern Walk will be a Solstice Lantern Self-Guided Tour. Hillsborough residents are invited to create and hang lanterns from their front porches, trees or other visible outdoor spaces for walkers and drivers to enjoy during the weekend of December 19-21, in celebration of the winter solstice on December 21.
We invite participants to register and provide a street address for the Solstice Lantern Self-Guided Tour. This information will be used to create a route for use by visitors or other community members as they explore the community’s handmade lantern creations. Participants in the Solstice Lantern Self-Guided Tour will be asked to enjoy the light show from sidewalks and neighborhood streets and to keep at a safe distance from porches and property.
HAC will once again sell a basic solstice lantern for $5. Creating a lantern is a family activity that has always been a staple of this program. In addition to our $5 traditional lantern kits, we will be adding variations on lantern design for those interested in being more creative this year. All kits will be available in limited quantities and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. We regret that kits cannot be reserved in advance. New and updated lantern-making DIY videos will be posted on our website. These videos are intended for a variety of skill levels and recommend using items that can be easily purchased or found at home.
Lantern kits will soon be sold at HAC’s Gift Shop (102 N. Churton Street) or can be purchase at our virtual store. All proceeds from the lantern kits support HAC’s commitment to bring arts programming to Hillsborough and the surrounding area.
This event is free (donations encouraged).
SOLSTICE LANTERN WALK
We have reimagined the 2020 Solstice Walk to fit our current circumstances. continue reading for more information!
Can't attend this year but love the Solstice Lantern Walk?
Your gift helps us create this and many other wonderful events for the Hillsborough Community!
Photos by Donn Young
WHY ARE QUIET AND WHITE EMPHASIZED? The Winter Solstice marks the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. The Solstice Lantern Walk is a non-denominational celebration of the days slowly getting longer.
While it is close to the holidays, this is an intentional recognition of the quiet beauty of new winter light. We respectfully leave other winter holiday traditions such as caroling, etc. for incorporation into events other than the lantern walk.
If you choose to walk the downtown historic district to view the maps, you can scout out the best parking options here. Please be mindful not to block driveways and private residences.
Click map to enlarge.
Lantern Guidelines for 2020:
-
Lanterns should be handmade and follow the "winter white" theme.
-
Please use white lights, lanterns can be incorporated into other holiday decor with various colors.
-
Bells and chimes may be added.
-
Be creative!
BASIC TAKE & MAKE LANTERN KITS $5
JUMBO TAKE & MAKE LANTERN KITS $10
Available at the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery and Gift Shop at 102 N. Churton Street.
A Video on How To Use Your Lantern Kit:
YARN BALL TAKE & MAKE LANTERN KITS $8
Available at the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery and Gift Shop at 102 N. Churton Street.
A Video on How To Use Your Lantern Kit:
DOILIES TAKE & MAKE LANTERN KITS $10
Available at the Hillsborough Arts Council Gallery and Gift Shop at 102 N. Churton Street.
A Video on How To Use Your Lantern Kit:
Reminder, we are using LEDs (absolutely no flames allowed).
Some of these videos show colored lanterns but please stay true to the Winter White color theme.
We know that this creative community will come together with fun creations! We can't wait to see yours!
Want to protect your handmade lanterns? Spraying clear aerosol lacquer helps protect them from the elements.
2017 - video by Michelle Whitfield and Jeff Shields, music and Picture Maker at Kleptonaut
2016 - video by Michelle Whitfield and Jeff Shields, music and Picture Maker at Kleptonaut
2015 - Inaugural parade passed StickWork by Patrick Dougherty, which was sponsored by the Hillsborough Arts Council and completed late November 2015.
Video by Gregg McPherson of Grey Egg Productions