Floating Lantern Ceremony
Free Outdoor Event
Join us for CAM’s annual Floating Lantern Ceremony on Sunday, January 11, 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 provided in our Pancoe Education Center, and CAM Café will offer hot chocolate, beverages, and light food service to enjoy 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- 7 PM Galleries open; museum admission applies
• Ages 12 & under are free
• 3 PM- 7 PM Discounted Admission: $5 for adults and children 12 & above
Pre-Event Lantern Sleeves (before January 11, 2026):
CAM Members: $15
Not-Yet Members: $20
Available to purchase at CAM Visitor Services during regular hours.
All lantern sleeves will be $20 on the day of the event.
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 an environmentally safe event.
How to Make and Float a Lantern:
1. Purchase a lantern sleeve.
2. Take home and make it special with your own materials - crayons, markers, pencils - or bring your sleeve to CAM on January 11 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.
3. Bring your personalized sleeve to CAM on January 11 and assemble on CAM-supplied floating base.
4. Walk your decorated lantern to CAM Reflecting Pond for lighting
and floating.
5. Savor the moment.
Schedule • Sunday, January 11, 2026:
10 AM-7 PM Galleries open; museum admission applies
Ages 12 & under are free
3-7 PM Discounted Museum Admission: $5 for adults and children 12 & above
3-7 PM Trolley available. Overflow parking is located at Barclay
Center at the intersection of 17th and Independence Blvd.
3-6:45 PM Lantern decorating in Pancoe
5 PM Lantern Floating Begins
5-6:45 PM Lighting and floating of lanterns at CAM Reflecting Pond
For more information, please visit:
https://cameronartmuseum.org/event/floating-lantern-ceremony-3/
For any Accessibility requests, please contact Georgia Mastroieni at 910-726-9492 or
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Service animals only.
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