There are scenes that look like they’re straight out of a Disney fairy tale, and you’ll be able to step right into a setting worthy of the movie “Tangled” without leaving São Paulo, thanks to the return of the Water Lantern Festival. On just two dates, October 31 and November 1, the capital of São Paulo will transform into a “little Thailand,” with thousands of floating lanterns illuminating the always photogenic Botanical Garden.
After tickets sold out in August, the event returns to São Paulo to celebrate the arrival of spring in all its splendor. For a limited time, the park will take on a special magic as twilight falls. An ephemeral event to embrace the renewal of the season in a different way: by writing a message, a memory, or a wish, and seeing it all become part of a collective spectacle on the water.
31 October 2026 13:00 + more dates
Jardim Botânico de São Paulo
A global phenomenon set amid a haven of the Atlantic Forest
It would not be wrong to say that the choice of venue is almost as impressive as the event itself. After all, the Botanical Garden is a true green postcard of São Paulo, featuring century-old trees, orchids, and clear springs, as it is located within the Fontes do Ipiranga State Park—one of the last and most important remnants of the Atlantic Forest within the urban area of São Paulo.
Walking through the park is like breathing a different kind of air, connecting with nature in its purest form, and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city without leaving the capital. It is precisely this immersion in a preserved green space that promises to make the spectacle so magical: the contrast between the “darkness” of the forest and the warm glow of the lanterns reflected on the water.
More than just a springtime weekend outing, the Water Lantern Festival is an internationally renowned event. In fact, before coming to São Paulo, this event—inspired by Thai traditions—had already captivated more than 50 cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto, attracting over half a million visitors worldwide. Now , the magic is about to return to São Paulo.
A Practical Guide to Enjoying the Water Lantern Festival in São Paulo
If you want to make the most of the Water Lantern Festival, it’s best to plan ahead. The event runs from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on October 31 and November 1 , and your ticket already includes admission to the Botanical Garden. And don’t worry—there’s plenty to do before it’s time to release the floating lanterns.
Right at the entrance, you’ll be greeted by a live band playing music to liven up the atmosphere, and there will also be plenty of food stands (with vegan and gluten-free options available) and drinks, interactive games, and even an open mic session—which anyone can join in on.
The idea is for you to arrive early and pick up your complete kit with everything you need: a lantern, markers for personalization, and a backpack. Then, just enjoy the program, and in the blink of an eye, the highlight will arrive—the release of the lanterns into the water, accompanied by the warm hues of the sunset over São Paulo’s Botanical Garden. The perfect moment for you to set all your wishes free on the lake.
To ensure everything is as comfortable as possible, the organizers recommend that you bring appropriate footwear, an extra layer for when it gets dark, sunscreen and insect repellent, as well as a blanket or portable chair. If you follow these tips, this will be an outdoor experience to treasure among your fondest memories.
Leaving no trace on nature
And when it’s time to head home, don’t worry: a team will be on site to ensure that all the lanterns are collected (100% sustainable, made from rice paper or biodegradable wood-based tissue paper with small, low-wattage LED lights). In keeping with its commitment to the environment, the organization’s goal is to leave no trace in nature, so that the Botanical Garden will wake up just as it always does!
