Floating Lantern Ceremony - Updated Schedule!
Schedule
Sun Feb 22 2026 at 03:00 pm to 07:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC, United States, North Carolina 28412 | Wilmington, NC
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❄️ Due to snowy weather, we’ve rescheduled the Floating Lantern Ceremony.New date: Sunday, February 22, 2026 | 3–7 PM
Free Outdoor Event | Free Admission to the Galleries All Day
Join us for CAM’s annual Floating Lantern Ceremony on Sunday, February 22, for a beautiful evening of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude. Participants can create and design a floating lantern to be placed in our Reflection Pond, all while enjoying live music, food, and drinks.
The ceremony will take place around CAM’s serene Reflection Pond, with live music and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Lantern decorating supplies will be available at our Pancoe Education Center, and CAM Café will offer hot chocolate, beverages, and light food service throughout the evening.
Create your own floating lantern to honor a loved one, celebrate a special moment, or simply find peace in the act of reflection. We all have our reasons to create a Floating Lantern… what’s yours?
Please note that gallery admission applies to all indoor exhibitions, but the Floating Lantern Ceremony is free for all. Come share this meaningful experience with us!
Museum Admission:
10 AM- 5 PM: Galleries open; Free Admission.
Lantern Sleeves:
Before February 22, 2026:
Available to purchase at CAM Visitor Services during regular hours.
$20 (CAM Members: $15)
Day of event: $20.
Enjoy 20% off CAM memberships on 2/22/26.
Thank you for helping us keep our pond clean! Please do not attach plastics or other non-paper materials to your lantern sleeve. We strive to keep this event environmentally safe.
How to Make and Float a Lantern:
• Purchase a lantern sleeve.
• Take home and make it special with your own materials – crayons, markers, pencils – or bring your sleeve to CAM on February 22 and use CAM’s supplies. Remember someone special or express your gratitude or create a wish. It’s a great activity to share with friends and family.
• Bring your personalized sleeve to CAM on February 22 and assemble on CAM-supplied floating base.
• Walk your decorated lantern to CAM Reflection Pond for lighting and floating.
• Savor the moment.
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SCHEDULE • Sunday, February 22, 2026:
Click here to see or download the Event Schedule: https://cameronartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026_PROGRAM_FloatingLanternCeremony.FLYER3_.pdf
10 AM-7 PM: Galleries open; Free Admission
10 AM-2 PM: Regular Brunch Menu & Full-Service Bar at CAM Café
3-7 PM: Trolley available. Overflow parking is located at the Barclay Center at Independence Blvd., across from Museum Drive.
3-6:45 PM: Lantern decorating in the Reception Hall
3-7 PM: Live music by the Pond or Pancoe Porch
5 PM: Lantern Floating Begins. 5 gongs for official launch start time
5-6:45 PM: Lighting and floating of lanterns at CAM Reflection Pond
3-5 PM: Light Bites Menu and Refreshments at CAM Café. Click here to see the Light Bites Menu: https://cameronartmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-MENU_FloatingLanternOfferings.pdf
7 PM: Lantern Floating Ends. 7 gongs, official end time for Floating Lanterns
For any Accessibility requests, please contact Georgia Mastroieni at 910-726-9492 or [email protected]
Service animals only.
Thank you to Fox Wilmington for sponsoring the 2026 Floating Lanterns Ceremony.
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Where is it happening?
3201 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC, United States, North Carolina 28412Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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