A magical evening by the water
July 25, 2026
Water Lantern Festival 2026: floating lanterns
The Water Lantern Festival arrives near Brussels for an open-air evening around light, music and sharing. The principle is simple: each participant receives a lantern, personalizes it with words, drawings, memories or wishes, and then places it on the water at nightfall.
The experience takes place at the Groot-Bijgaard Castle, in a green setting a few kilometres from Brussels. The evening begins before sunset, with music, entertainment, food stalls and an atmosphere designed to take your time.
It’s a different outing than the classic family activities: softer, more contemplative, with a highlight when the illuminated lanterns are reflected on the water.
Water Lantern Festival in 5 points
- An evening by the water
The festival takes place outdoors, in the green spaces of the Groot-Bijgaard Castle, around a body of water. - A lantern to customize
Each ticket includes a kit to assemble and decorate your lantern with messages, drawings or wishes. - A release of lanterns at nightfall
The lanterns are put in the water from 9:30 p.m., to create a large collective light board. - A family atmosphere
The event is open to all ages and can be experienced with family, friends, couples or older children. - An experience designed to be sustainable
The lanterns are advertised as biodegradable and the organization says it collects the lanterns after the event in order to leave the place clean.
Why we like it
- For the poetic side
The lanterns on the water create a very soft, almost cinematic atmosphere. - For the ritual to be experienced as a family
Writing a message, decorating your lantern and then seeing it float gives a more personal dimension to the outing. - For the frame
The Groot-Bijgaarden Castle provides a green setting, quieter than an event in the centre of Brussels. - For the summer atmosphere
Music, catering, an evening outdoors and light at nightfall: the format works very well for a July outing.
The team’s opinion
People come to take their time, personalise their lantern, listen to music, enjoy the place and wait for the moment when the lights appear on the water.
What works particularly well is the collective side of the experience. Everyone writes something different, but all the lanterns end up forming the same luminous decoration. For children, the gesture is simple and very visual. For parents, there is a more symbolic, almost meditative dimension.
Practical information
- AGE: open to all
- DATE: July 25, 2026
- HOURS: festival starts at 6:30 pm, lanterns released at 9:30 pm
- DURATION: about 4 hours
- LOCATION: Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Isidoor Van Beverenstraat 5, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden, Dilbeek
- EXPERIENCE: customization of a lantern, music, entertainment, catering, release of lanterns on the water
- ACCESSIBILITY : Wheelchair and stroller accessible location
Questions
The Water Lantern Festival Brussels takes place on 25 July 2026.
The event takes place at the Groot-Bigard Castle in Groot-Bijgaarden, near Brussels.
The festival starts at 6:30 pm. The release of the lanterns is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
The experience lasts about 4 hours.
Children 8 years and under are admitted for free, but they do not receive a lantern. The standard ticket includes access, lantern, decoration kit, LED candle, marker, wristband and bag.
General admission includes access to the experience, a kit to assemble the lantern, markers to customize it, and a drawstring bag.
Yes, there will be food stalls and products offered by local artisans.
Things to do around Groot-Bijgaarden
The Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden
The estate is best known for its green setting and wide open spaces. For the Water Lantern Festival, the place becomes the main setting of the evening, between park, water and lights.
The centre of Brussels
From Groot-Bijgaard, it is easy to reach Brussels to extend the day before the event, with a walk in the centre, a snack break or a more cultural visit.
The west of Brussels
The district also allows you to imagine a quieter outing around Brussels, far from the very touristy places, with a simple program: late afternoon outside, dinner on the spot, then release of lanterns at nightfall.
What to do in July in and around Brussels?
Discover our suggestions for outings in Brussels this summer, throughout the month of July: festival, event, outdoor walks… And all the activities in the evening to enjoy the mild summer nights.
What to do outside Brussels with your family?
You want to get out of Brussels to get some fresh air! Our suggestions. for a whole day accessible by public transport or a few kilometres from Brussels.