KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO...
Solstice
Lantern Walk + Market
REMINDER TO REGISTER
Get ready to join us by lantern light to celebrate the Winter Solstice on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5-8 PM, at the Farmers Market Pavilion in Hillsborough, NC, for the 2025 Solstice Lantern Walk & Market! Whether watching or walking, registering for a ticket is required to attend this event.
Tickets are free with a suggested donation of $5-10 per person. Donations are nonrefundable.
HAC and Churton Street Champion sponsor, Paynter Law Firm, are offering an exclusive Solstice Lantern Walk mug for registrants who can show proof of a $15+ per person donation with their 2025 registration. Mugs will be available on-site at Solstice Market while supplies last.
This year's mug features artwork by contest winner Barbara Younger!
Pictured is a preview image of this year's design, not the final product.
Registration opens Nov. 5, 2025!
EXPECT CHILLY WEATHER
This is a winter event, and rain-or-shine (barring severe or prohibitive conditions), so be sure to bundle up with gloves, scarves, hats, winter coat, etc. to ensure you're cozy throughout the evening!
SOLSTICE MARKET
Solstice Market will be taking place 5-8 PM under the Farmers Market Pavilion. Stay tuned for announcements regarding market artists, music, and experiences for 2025!
Bring your wallet to warm your hands with a hot cocoa or apple cider, grab a snack, support local artists, and stock up on any last minute artist-made gifts!
PARKING
We expect high traffic and encourage prioritizing on-street parking a few blocks away from the Farmers Market Pavilion before walking into the event if possible. Hillsborough's public parking options are limited. Early arrival for priority parking is recommended. For comprehensive details on parking available in downtown Hillsborough, NC, click here.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
Our aim is to bring the stars to the ground to celebrate the Winter Solstice! Of course, you'll need your brilliant lantern. If you still need to craft a lantern, click here for Solstice Lantern Resources.
You're also encouraged to carry a flashlight to help with navigating around on the darkest night of the year! There will be sections of Riverwalk that are rather dark. We'll do our best to set up ground-level lighting, but stay alert as you trek the boardwalks.
Please be mindful to keep flashlights facing the ground at all times and out of the eyes of your fellow participants. LEDs only. No flames.
CIRCULATOR BUSES
With support from Hillsborough's Tourism Board and the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, we will be introducing circulator buses to Solstice Lantern Walk to connect downtown with West Hillsborough, support local residents’ access to the event, and aid overall crowd circulation. See the map below or in our Solstice Brochures (available at the HAC Gallery & Gift Shop and participating Art Walk venues) for bus information.
Click to enlarge map.
LANTERN WALK ROUTE
This year, we invite you to walk at your own pace any time between 5-8 PM! Sunset is at 5:05 PM. This is approximately a 1.3 mile walk that takes between 45-60 minutes to complete.
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ADA ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES
There are multiple flat entrance/exit points this year for your convenience and to enter as you wish. Please stay right to keep paths clear for emergency exits:
- Riverwalk entrance by the Farmers' Market Pavilion
- River Park path from Churton St sidewalk
- Riverwalk Boardwalk entrance by the Weaver Street Parking Garage
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VIEWING LOCATIONS/WATCH ZONES
For many who are unable to participate in the walk, there are fantastic viewing locations overlooking Riverwalk and the stream of lights illuminating the path that we encourage you to take advantage of:
- In River Park, near the Walk Start
- On the Exchange Park Ln. Bridge
- On top of or in front of the Weaver Street Parking Garage
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EVENT SAFETY
In an effort to keep this event safe and ensure we can continue to host public programs like Solstice Lantern Walk for years to come, your consideration of the following is greatly appreciated:
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We will have volunteers at multiple points along Riverwalk helping with way-finding and walk safety.
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Please be aware that after the Riverwalk loop, incoming and outgoing walk traffic may overlap, creating two-way walking traffic. Please stay alert and be conscious and respectful of those around you.
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Police security will be available at the Weaver Street Parking Garage/Riverwalk Boardwalk Entrance.
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If you feel sick, please stay home!
We're so grateful for the opportunity to share this special evening with you. Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe.​​​​​
RESTROOMS
We will have the Farmers Market Pavilion restrooms open for public use, along with a ADA portalets on-site at Solstice Market. Additional public restrooms are available behind the Hillsborough Visitors Center.
NO PETS PLEASE
We LOVE pets, but this is a very heavily trafficked event. We ask that, for your safety, their safety, and the safety of all participants, pets are kept at home for this experience. Thank you for your understanding!​​​
We can't wait to see you and your lantern creations on Solstice night!
All HAC events are town-wide celebrations of creativity and community. While in Historic Hillsborough, we encourage you to make a day of it and support our beloved local artists and businesses this winter!
SOLSTICE ANNOUNCEMENTS >
TO BE ANNOUNCED: Learn about live music, artists, food & beverage vendors, and exciting experiences to look forward to at the 2025 Solstice Lantern Walk & Market!