Some Indianapolis events feel like more than just something to add to your calendar. Feast of Lanterns is one of them. For one summer evening, Spades Park on the Near Eastside is filled with colorful lanterns, local makers, music, food, neighbors, and families enjoying the park together as the sun goes down.
The 2026 Feast of Lanterns takes place on Saturday, August 22, from 4 to 11 p.m. at Spades Park, 1800 Nowland Avenue in Indianapolis. Admission is free, making this a wonderful late-summer outing for families who want an experience that feels special without purchasing tickets for everyone in the family.
What Is the Feast of Lanterns?
Feast of Lanterns is a free, family-friendly community festival centered around one beautiful idea: lanterns lighting up Spades Park after dark. Throughout the afternoon and evening, families can enjoy food trucks, live music, a Kids Zone, a beer and wine garden for adults, Community Row, and more than 60 local artisans.
But the part you will want to stay for is the lantern lighting. As daylight begins to fade, colorful lanterns glow throughout the trees and park spaces, turning an ordinary summer evening into something your kids will remember.
This is not a brand-new Indianapolis tradition. Feast of Lanterns traces its history back to gatherings on the Near Eastside in the late 1800s, when neighborhood residents decorated porches with lanterns. By 1909, the celebration had grown into a larger event in Spades Park, with lanterns illuminating the park, historic bandstand, bridges, and nearby homes. The modern celebration continues that neighborhood tradition with music, art, food, and community connection.
Why Families Will Love Feast of Lanterns
Feast of Lanterns has the kind of easygoing setup that works well for families. You do not have to reserve a timed ticket, rush through exhibits, or commit to a full-day itinerary. You can arrive in the afternoon, let the kids explore, grab dinner from a food truck, listen to music, shop from local artisans, and settle in for the lanterns as evening arrives.
For kids, the festival has plenty to look at and experience. There is a Kids Zone planned for the event, plus all the energy of an outdoor neighborhood celebration. Little ones may be most excited about treats and glowing lanterns, while older kids may enjoy browsing handmade items, listening to music, or taking photos once the park lights up.
For parents, this event offers a beautiful combination: it is free to attend, outdoors, family-friendly, and memorable. Feast of Lanterns feels like one of those experiences that makes you appreciate summer in Indianapolis just a little more.
What to Expect at the 2026 Festival
The 2026 Feast of Lanterns will feature local artisans, food trucks, community booths, children’s activities, adult beverage options, and live music. The musical lineup for 2026 has not yet been announced, so families can watch the event website for additional details as the festival gets closer.
Because the event runs until 11 p.m., families can decide how late they would like to stay. Families with very young children may want to arrive early, enjoy dinner and activities, and stay long enough to see the lanterns begin to glow. Families with older children may enjoy lingering later into the evening to experience more of the music and the illuminated park.
Tips for Attending Feast of Lanterns with Kids
Plan to bring a blanket or lawn chairs so your family has a comfortable place to sit while listening to music or eating dinner. Since this is an outdoor August event, pack water, sunscreen for the afternoon, and bug spray for after sunset.
Food trucks will be available, but bringing a few kid-friendly snacks can be helpful if you have selective eaters or children who need something quickly. A stroller or wagon may also be useful for younger kids, especially if you plan to stay into the evening.
Most importantly, do not leave too early. The lanterns are beautiful during the day, but the real magic happens as the sun goes down and the park begins to glow.
Make Feast of Lanterns Part of Your Indianapolis Summer
Feast of Lanterns is one of those Indianapolis summer events that brings together everything families love about being out in the city: a beautiful park, local food, art, music, children’s activities, and a little bit of wonder after dark.
Whether your family visits every year or this will be your first time, add Feast of Lanterns to your late-summer plans. Pack your chairs, bring the kids, choose something delicious from a food truck, and stay until Spades Park lights up with hundreds of colorful lanterns.
Feast of Lanterns 2026 Details
Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Time: 4 to 11 p.m.
Location: Spades Park, 1800 Nowland Avenue, Indianapolis
Admission: Free
Activities: Lantern displays, food trucks, local artisans, Kids Zone, Community Row, beer and wine garden, and live music
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