Event Dates
From: Friday, October 6, 2023
To: Saturday, October 7, 2023
Attracting thousands of visitors who launch thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the night desert sky
Every October the RiSE Festival is held in the Mojave Desert outside of Las Vegas attracting thousands of visitors who launch thousands of biodegradable lanterns into the night desert sky. It is a truly unique and magical experience.
- Visiting Las Vegas? The city attracts thousands of visitors,especially during weekend events, so book early. Stay on the strip close to the parade and pride festivities.
The Festival
- RiSE Festival Las Vegas is the largest lantern release in the world and takes place in October, on the first weekend of the month on Friday and Saturday.
- A lantern release takes place each night. The event is spread out in the desert with plenty of breathing room.
- If you plan on attending, buy tickets in advance. Each ticket gets you parking, 2 lanterns, a seating mat and a market to write your message on your lantern.
Where does the RiSE Festival take place?
- The RiSE Festival site is located about 25 mi (40 km) south of Las Vegas on the Jean Dry Lake Bed. It can be reached by the I-15 highway.
How do I get to the event?
- The RiSE Festival runs a shuttle for $39 near the Strip. Shuttles will leave every 30 minutes from 2:30 to 6:30 pm and return to the hotels from 8:30 to 11 pm continuously once they are full. Ride share apps do not operate in the desert due to limited cell service.
The event program:
RiSE Festival Las Vegas begins early in the afternoon featuring live music and performances on the main stage. Delicious food and drink options are available on site with food trucks and art installations dotted around the event space.
- 3 PM – From 3 – 7 pm, there will be 4 musical acts performing on the stage in the center of the ring.
- 7:15 PM – 1st launch of lanterns in unison
- 7:30 PM – Entrance gates close
- 7:45 PM – 2nd launch of lanterns in unison
- 7:50 PM – Fireworks and lantern releases
The Lanterns
- The lanterns are designed specifically with a short burn and flight time. Each lantern is 100% biodegradable, and they have a leave it better than you found it policy. After the event, they have an entire team that retrieve 100% of the lanterns from the surrounding desert along with any other litter they find. Be patient when releasing your lanterns – make sure they are full. Watch out for other lanterns that get released prematurely, so you or your stuff don’t accidentally get burned.
LGTB Support
- The festival has a partnership with The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, and Communities in School of Southern Nevada.
- RISE donates tickets to all three charities so each organization can bring people they support to take part in the world’s largest lantern festival.
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RISE Festival – Short version
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