Ever wondered what koalas, hippos, the Queen of Hearts and Dame Edna Everage all have in common? Well, they’ve all taken the form of lanterns and lit up the streets of South Bank in the annual LUMINOUS Lantern Parade.
After a virtual event last year, the lantern parade is coming back for 2021 and will be better than ever for its return. What started as a small festival to welcome new Queenslanders has ascended the ranks in Brisbane’s events calendar and is now one of the state’s most iconic celebrations of multiculturalism. Be prepared for your jaw to drop this year as South Bank becomes a hotspot of colour when lanterns of every shape and size you can think of are carried through the streets. It’s like that scene in Tangled but better.
As well as watching the beautiful lanterns go past at the parade on Friday 4 June, you can also get creative and become an arts and crafts pro at lantern making workshops that will be part of LUMINOUS in the Neighbourhood across Brisbane, Ipswich and Moreton.
Multicultural Australia CEO Christine Castley said this year’s LUMINOUS events will be an opportunity for all Queenslanders to come together and say we are proud of our diverse Queensland.
“Like so many newcomers to our country, coming from Malaysia when I was 15, I understand what it is like to feel disconnected in a strange new land and to then be embraced by the warm welcome of Brisbane and Queensland,” Ms Castley said.
The parade will end with a concert featuring an epic, diverse line-up of musicians here to bless our ears and eyes with performances from around the world. So get your camera, put on your dancing shoes and celebrate multiculturalism in the brightest way possible this year.
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You should also check out this winter festival with igloos and and ice skating rink.
Image credit: Supplied