Floating Lantern Ceremony
January 11, 2026, 2 – 7 PM
Music starts early indoors, at 2 PM.
Free Outdoor Event | Discounted Admission to the Galleries All Day
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 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- 7 PM: Galleries open; Discounted Admission: $5 for adults and children 12 & above
Ages 12 & under are free
Lantern Sleeves:
Before January 11, 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 1/11/26.
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 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.
- Bring your personalized sleeve to CAM on January 11 and assemble on CAM-supplied floating base.
- Walk your decorated lantern to CAM Reflection Pond for lighting and floating.
- Savor the moment.
SCHEDULE • Sunday, January 11, 2026:
Click here to see or download a Map and Event Schedule
10 AM-7 PM: Galleries open; Discounted Admission: $5 for adults and children 12 & above.
Ages 12 & under are free
Regular Brunch Menu 10 AM-2 PM & Full-Service Bar available inside at CAM Café
3-7 PM: Light Bites Menu and Refreshments from CAM Café available outdoors. Click here to see the Light Bites Menu
2-3 PM (Indoors-Reception Hall): Free concert with Cape Fear Academy Jazz Ensemble and The Youth Choir of Wilmington. This year, the music begins early indoors with swinging jazz and seasonal songs from the Cape Fear Academy Jazz Club and the Wilmington Youth Choir.
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 Pancoe
3-5 PM: Live music at Pancoe porch by Royce Williams, Keyboards
4-6 PM: Live music (near pond) by Josh Youse, Guitar, and Perry Smith, Drums
5 PM: Lantern Floating Begins. 5 gongs for official launch start time (Sunset 5:21 PM)
5-6:45 PM: Lighting and floating of lanterns at CAM Reflection Pond
6-7 PM: Live music (near pond) by Dara Kahkonen, Flute
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.
