Atlanta’s favorite park is about to glow. Piedmont Park Conservancy opens its annual holiday celebration, Light Up the Season, on Sunday, November 22, 2026, and this year it arrives with a brand-new tradition: a Lantern Parade & Lighting Celebration that is free and open to everyone in the heart of Midtown.
The fun begins at 3:30 p.m. at Greystone with a Lantern-Making Party, where families can build their own lanterns while enjoying music and seasonal treats. At 5:00 p.m., the parade sets off around Lake Clara Meer and into the Meadow. Right after, the crowd gathers for the big moment: the lighting of Piedmont Park’s Great Tree, Menorah and Kinara, followed by a family holiday movie and hot cocoa to close the evening.
Can’t make your lantern that day? There are earlier chances to get ready, including a free Community Craft Night on November 10 and lantern-making kits at the Green Market on November 21. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome, the route follows paved, accessible areas, and although no ticket is required, registering in advance helps the Conservancy plan the night.
The celebration does not end with the parade. Light Up the Season runs through January 4, 2027, with the tree, menorah and kinara shining every evening, plus seasonal workshops and community programs throughout November and December. It is a joyful, neighborly way to start the holidays in Atlanta’s Green Heart.
Photo: Piedmont Park Conservancy
