Light Up Winter Lantern Release 2026

Purchase of lanterns is strictly non-refundable.

Strictly only official Light Up Winter lanterns will be permitted to be released in the lantern release zone.

A limited number of official Light Up Winter lanterns will be released for purchase online only from Monday 15th June (while stocks last) by visiting us here www.lightupwinter.co.nz. There will be NO lantern sales on the day, therefore get in quick from Monday 15th June, and agreeing to the sale Terms & Conditions.

On successful online purchase of your lantern, you will be issued with a QR code ticket - please keep this safe as it is the only proof of purchase.

On the day of the event, there will be a signposted Lantern Token collection kiosk in the main event area. Please ensure you make your way to these staffed kiosks between 4-7pm to verify your purchased QR code ticket with a staff member. Once validated, you will be given a Lantern Token. Once the tokens are given to the ticket holder, all responsibility is with the ticket holder to hold onto their token. We will not be providing additional lanterns for lost tokens.

Please note strictly that 1 x lantern token = 1 lantern purchased.

Lantern tokens will be exchanged for lanterns at the pick up station at the lantern release zone from 7pm onwards only, and not sooner.

Pick up of lanterns only on the day of the event at 7pm in the designated lantern release zone.

If the wind speed exceeds 15kph on the night, the lantern release component of the event will be postponed with a back up release event taking place on Sunday 2nd August at 7.30pm. A call will be made prior to lantern collection. Please note that this is a compliance requirement to ensure a safe and hazard free event.

If rainfall occurs, the lantern release component of the event will be postponed to Sunday 2nd August at 7.30pm. Should adverse weather conditions continue into Sunday 2rd August; we unfortunately will not be releasing the lanterns in 2026. No refunds will be issued. No purchased lanterns will be distributed. This is a compliance requirement.

You are required to watch the safety video "How To Safely Light My Lantern" within the T&C's section of the lantern purchase page, and here - this is a mandatory requirement to purchase your lantern.