Feature: LANTERNS 2026 at Wildwood Park For The Arts in Little Rock
Festival pulls in record-breaking attendance
I love going to Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock for their wonderful performances, but I have never been outside of the theatre to appreciate just how beautiful the park actually is, and I've always wanted to go to The Lanterns festival. So, now in its 15th year, LANTERNS 2026, which ran April 16–19, invited guests to step beyond the stage doors and into a glowing, immersive world where nature and performance intertwine in the most magical way.
The grounds at Wildwood Park are so beautiful and peaceful, offering a serene backdrop that makes every step through the festival feel like a quiet escape from the everyday. Even with the excitement of Lanterns all around, there’s a calming presence in the trees, the water, and the open spaces that allows you to slow down and truly take it all in.
At its heart, Lanterns is more than just a festival, it’s a fully immersive theatrical experience spread across more than 100 acres of natural beauty. Guests follow winding woodland paths lit by glowing luminarias, discovering “vistas” that celebrate cultures from around the globe, including China, Japan, Italy, and Egypt, along with a whimsical Land of Oz. Each stop feels like stepping into a new scene, complete with music, dance, food, and interactive artistry that brings global traditions to life in a way that is both educational and joyfully entertaining.
One of my favorite things to do at the festival was to visit each land and see what delectable food they had. I'm pretty sure I tried something in every area. From savory Japanese beef curry to pineapple upside down cake, each world offered a new flavor to experience, adding yet another layer of immersion to the journey. It’s not just a feast for the eyes, it’s truly a feast for the senses.
Adding to that vibrant marketplace atmosphere, my friend and favorite artist Tracy Rivers of Angel Fish Decorative brought her beautiful artwork to view and sell. Her pieces were a stunning addition to the festival, giving guests the opportunity to take a little bit of that Lanterns magic home with them while also supporting local artistry.
I loved watching the belly dancing while strolling through the Egypt section of the festival, which added such an authentic, rhythmic energy to that area/ Also, watching hot air balloon pilot David Hoover take patrons up and down was just plain fun. Seeing guests rise above the glowing park, even for a few moments, added yet another layer of wonder to an already magical evening.
In the Land of Oz, there were Ozians mixing it up with festivalgoers, creating playful, immersive moments that made you feel like you had truly stepped into another world. You could even catch some of the characters singing on the stage, adding that musical theatre sparkle that I always love. I regret that I didn’t try their signature green drink—it looked absolutely yummy and perfectly on theme, but that just gives me one more reason to go back next year.
There were also several acts nightly on the Wildwood Stage, offering a variety of entertainment for guests to enjoy throughout the evening. One standout was Premium Martial Arts, who showcased their students of varying ages and skill levels. It was inspiring to see performers so young share the stage with confidence, demonstrating both discipline and artistry in their craft.
One of the most cherished traditions of the festival is the opportunity to light your own lantern and release it onto Swan Lake. This glowing ritual, symbolizing hope and good fortune, creates one of the most breathtaking visuals of the entire weekend. There are hundreds of flickering lights drifting across the water in quiet unity.
The festival serves an important purpose as the park’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting arts education, environmental preservation, and year-round programming at Wildwood. As Wildwood Board member Karen Kuralt shares, “Lanterns is the single biggest fundraising event we run all year—but it's also more than that. It's a chance for us to connect with everyone in the community, regardless of age. We love inviting the entire state to come and have a good time while experiencing cultures from around the world. Our guests get to see the park grounds and the kinds of artistic events we offer firsthand. In turn, every dollar that guests spend at Lanterns makes it possible for us to keep the park open free to the public 7 days a week. The funds also enable us to maintain the grounds, present concerts and stage shows, and educate the next generation of Arkansas performing artists.”
That impact is felt both immediately and long after the lanterns dim. Director of Communications Christina Munoz explains, “Lanterns has both a short-term impact and a long-term impact for Wildwood. First, it brings numerous people to our beautiful park who may not have known about our 104-acre space or our 625-seat theatre. That’s a huge goal of our image and awareness campaign. Second, Lanterns is our major annual fundraiser which allows us to continue our arts and educational programming, and to scholarship students who may need financial assistance. Lanterns 2026 was our most successful festival to date with record-breaking attendance, and we are so grateful to all of the community members and volunteers who contributed to this year’s event.”
This is great news because the artistry at this venue is professional grade level and we are blessed to have it in our own back yard. Coming up at the beginning of June is a super fun summer camp for 7-12 year olds and then at the end of June, there will be a special production of Singin' In the Rain Sr, where all performers are over the age of 55. I can't wait to see it! For more information, visit their website at www.wildwoodpark.org.
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