2025 Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade

Parade Route –

Please note that the parade route has changed slightly this year.

All participants are asked to line up ahead close to the ALDER LANE beach entrance, just south of the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort. Line up begins at 4:45.

The parade exits the beach through the TIKI HUT / BEACH HOUSE RESORT parking lot, crosses South Forest Beach Drive, and proceeds to the LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK.

Click the image below to zoom into to the map for detail about parking location, route, and accessible viewing areas.

With an array of spectacular illuminated creations floating through the air, Hilton Head Island’s night sky and Coligny Beach coastline will glow on Saturday, Nov. 22, during the Town’s annual Lantern Parade.

This annual event has quickly become a beloved seasonal attraction that celebrates Hilton Head Island’s rich history, natural beauty, and community spirit. The parade showcases the creations of acclaimed lantern artist Chantelle Rytter, along with hundreds of colorful lanterns crafted by residents, visitors, school groups, and local organizations. Four bands will join the festivities: the Black Sheep Ensemble, Soda City Band, the United States Marine Corps Dirty Boots Brass Band, and the Atlanta Drum Academy.

Parking
Parking will be available at the following locations:

• Coligny Beach Parking Lot
• Former Wild Wings lot, 72 Pope Avenue
• Former Aunt Chilada’s lot, 69 Pope Avenue.
• First Baptist Church,100 S. Forest Beach Dr.
• St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 50 Pope Avenue
• USCB’s Hilton Head Island campus, 1 Sand Shark Dr. A shuttle will run from the USCB campus between 4:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., transporting spectators to and from the parade. Those using this lot are encouraged to drop off group members at the parade starting point or viewing area, with only one person per group riding the shuttle. Return shuttles from Lowcountry Celebration Park to USCB will operate until approximately 9:15 p.m.

Handicap Parking and Viewing Spaces

• A portion of the southernmost section of the Coligny Beach Parking Lot (along the tree line near the South Forest Beach Drive access) will be reserved for handicapped parking and viewing areas. Volunteers will verify hangtags for all vehicles in this area.

Where to watch the parade
Spectators can watch the parade along the beach anywhere between Alder Lane and the Beach House or enjoy the finale at Lowcountry Celebration Park. If you can’t be at the parade in person, no worries. It will be live streamed through the Beaufort County Channel.

Spectator Rules
For a safe and enjoyable experience, please observe the following rules:

• Follow the instructions of all Town of Hilton Head Island staff, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputies, security officers, and volunteers.
• Please keep the parade route clear.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Please do not walk through or stand on the dunes.
• Spectators can bring their dogs to the parade. But, for the safety of participants, dogs are not allowed to walk in the parade.
• You can ride your bike to the parade, but you are not allowed to ride it in the parade.

Participant Rules

• All participants need to have a lantern to march in the parade. Visit CultureHHI for information on lantern making workshops.
• No passing or crowding the bands. Please follow the directions of security officers, volunteers and marshals.
• All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Yield space to the large lanterns.
• No bicycles.
• Amateur piloted drones are prohibited.
• Please leave your pets at home.
• No flaming (these are outlawed in the state) or flying lanterns.
• If you are planning to march as a group, please email us at oca@hiltonheadislandsc.gov to let us know the name of the group, number of participants, and a contact email address and phone number.

Community Lantern Making Workshops – Lantern Workshops will be offered to the general public this fall at several organizations and businesses around Town.

An up-to-date list of workshops and links for registration can be found here.

Groups Marching in the Parade –

Is your group planning to march in the parade together? Please email oca@hiltonheadislandsc.gov to let us know. You’ll receive an assignment for which group to line up with at the beach. Please share the NAME OF THE GROUP and NUMBER of PARTICIPANTS. It is highly recommended for groups to carpool.

Activities at Lowcountry Celebration Park – 

• Food trucks and beverages on site starting at 3 PM.
• Concert by Groove Town Assault ahead of the parade’s arrival. Beginning at 5:45.
• Live streaming of the Lantern Parade courtesy of the Beaufort County Channel.

Activities at Marriott Grande Ocean (near the parade starting point) – public is invited

• Lanterns available for purchase (cards only, no cash – $5 – $20) while supplies last (2 -5 PM)
• Food available from Lowcountry Fresh Market and Kitchen and Palmetto Kettle Corn & Lowcountry Boil – Starting at 4 PM
• Live Musical Entertainment by Pretty Darn – 3-6 PM

Live Music at the Beach House’s Tiki Hut – Local favorites – OCD – will perform from 3 – 6 PM

This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Click the photo above to see the slideshow from last year’s event.

Special thanks to the four bands who joined us – Atlanta Drum Academy, Black Sheep Ensemble, Dirty Boots Band, and Soda City Band. All will be returning for the 2025 parade!