For one night, a river of glowing handmade lanterns floats out of Morningside Park and up onto Columbia's campus, marking fifteen years of one of uptown's loveliest rituals. This year's theme, A Common Thread, turns the procession into quilt-inspired panels of luminous pattern linked by a single winding red line. It's free, it's rain or shine, and anyone can join the walk anywhere along the route.
What to expect
A roughly one-mile nighttime procession of large illuminated lanterns, starting in Morningside Park at 116th St and Morningside Ave at 8 PM and arriving on Columbia's campus around 8:45 PM. You can walk in the procession itself or watch and join from anywhere along the route; the lanterns were built by community members in the week's free workshops.
Good to know
- Want to carry a lantern? Arrive at 7 PM at 120th St & Morningside Ave — lanterns are assigned first-come, first-served starting at 7 PM sharp.
- Rain or shine.
- Before the procession arrives, Columbia campus entry is limited to CUID holders — join along the route and enter with the procession at Amsterdam & 116th St.
- Taking the 1 train? Exit at 110th St and walk east to meet the route.
- Free lantern-building workshops run Sep 12–18; the procession itself requires no signup.
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Common questions
Is it free?
Yes — the procession is a free community event, and the lantern-building workshops (September 12–18) are open to everyone.
Can I carry a lantern?
Yes — arrive at 7 PM at 120th St and Morningside Ave; lanterns are handed out first-come, first-served beginning at 7 PM sharp.
What if it rains?
The procession happens rain or shine on Saturday, September 19 at 8 PM.
Can I watch without walking the whole route?
Yes — join or watch anywhere along the roughly one-mile route from Morningside Park at 116th St to Columbia's campus, where it arrives around 8:45 PM.
