RISE LANTERN FESTIVAL

Rise Festival

What is Rise Lantern Festival?

RiSE Festival is a festival once a year where people come together to celebrate life, joys, dreams, hopes and blessings. The festival is a “Leave No Trace” policy so they retrieve 100% of the lanterns. Each lantern is also 100% biodegradable. I love this about them!

Rise Festival

I was lucky enough to attend the second annual Rise Festival at the Mojave Desert, Nevada. The festival was truly one of the most magical experiences I have ever experienced. The sky is illuminated by more than 20,000 lanterns over the Mojave Desert.

Things to know before the event

  • Purchase tickets in advance by signing up for notifications on the site. I was able to get tickets through the pre-sale and it was not easy!
  • Get the shuttle pass and avoid driving on your own. The festival company seemed to figure it out this year and the shuttles were timely and not crowded at all
  • Book your hotel in advance, preferably at the same hotel as the shuttle pick up
  • The event is usually held in early October, which provides the perfect weather!
  • Bring your own blanket if you like
  • Be prepared to get dirty from all the dust

Event Details

The shuttle ride from Las Vegas to the festival was under an hour. We arrived fairly early around 5 and decided to grab food from the food trucks. I even ran into The Clumsy Traveler while waiting in line at the food trucks! The event provides you with mats and two lanterns per person. We were lucky enough to witness the most beautiful cotton candy sunset and of course my girlfriend and I decided to take plenty of photos like the rest of the girls there.

Rise Festival

Rise Festival

Rise Festival

The event has live music throughout the day. The first release is at 8:30pm once the sky is completely dark. I suggest relaxing and decorating your lanterns while you wait for the first release.

“RiSE elevates hope, ignites dreams, and creates moments you will never forget”

Rise Festival

Rise Festival

Rise Festival

Lighting the lanterns is not easy

  1. Light the torch
  2. Partner up and hold the lantern above the torch to light the block
  3. Hold it there about 2-3 minutes (make sure one hand is holding the top of the lantern as it can easily get burned)
  4. Once you feel like the lantern is ready, let go and watch it fly!!
  5. Be careful and start ducking as lanterns fly over your head! I almost got hit a few times and very close to having my hair catch on fire! (yes it is a bit dangerous)

Rise Festival

Rise Festival

The very first release is very heartfelt and emotional. It’s truly a magical experience to see all of the lanterns light up with each persons hopes and dreams fly into the dark sky.

Together We Rise.

Learn more about other event locations and tickets here.

Shop my favorite festival looks:

Rise Festival

Previous Post

Next Post

18 comments

  • Jimmy and Tina

    November 24, 2016 at 12:20 am

    Very beautiful! I have always wanted to do the l lanterns and the Rise festival seems very spiritual. I was surprised they still do these with the threat of fire as I know some places have banned them. Love the photos!

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 24, 2016 at 6:15 pm

      Thanks!! Yes they started doing this two years ago!

  • Mindi Hirsch

    November 24, 2016 at 4:01 am

    I have never heard of this festival, and now I want to go. The lit up lanterns in the sky are absolutely spectacular.

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 24, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      I’ve always wanted to do the one in Thailand but since it’s so far I’m glad I was able to attend this event!

  • carrie @ frugal foodie mama

    November 24, 2016 at 5:20 am

    This is just beautiful! 🙂 Reminds me of the scene from Tangled. And I love that the lanterns are environmentally friendly.

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 24, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      I have never seen Tangled and I think I need to! =)

  • sher

    November 24, 2016 at 9:41 am

    great post christine! I kept seeing these lantern festivals but was not really into the idea since I thought they’d leave tons of trash and be bad for the environment – so good to know the festival use biodegradable ones! love your outfit too hun!

    Sher
    http://www.shershegoes.com

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 24, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      Yup that’s what I love about the event is that they pick up 100% of the lanterns!

  • Bart & Eena

    November 24, 2016 at 4:46 pm

    Oh this is so beautiful and unique! We truly love the advocacy! We hope to see this festival soon!

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 24, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      Hope you get to experience it as well!

  • Vicky and Buddy

    November 25, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Wow, I’d really love to do this one day. And how cool that you’re provided with a mat?! It really seems like this festival has it all figured out.

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 25, 2016 at 3:32 pm

      Yup! I was bummed I forgot to bring a blanket but luckily they had mats for us!

  • Mags

    November 25, 2016 at 6:45 am

    I had no idea there was a festival like this in the USA. I just got back from the lantern festival in Chiang Mai. I wish they had a similar “leave no trace” policy.

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 25, 2016 at 3:33 pm

      You’re so lucky! I would love to do the real one in Chiang Mai!

  • Nicki

    November 26, 2016 at 4:26 pm

    THIS IS AWESOME! I will be at the next one for sure. Unless of course I get to Taiwan first lol

    Beautiful photos!

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 26, 2016 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks Nicki! Hopefully you get to try it next year!

  • Lena Elzayn

    November 29, 2016 at 10:51 am

    This looks like such a magical, beautiful experience! Fantastic photos and tips! We really wanted to go but then forgot about it this year. We will have to go next year!

    1. Tour de Lust

      November 29, 2016 at 8:13 pm

      Make sure to sign up for updates and you will be notified of pre sales for next year!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.