San Francisco Water Lantern Festival: two evenings by the lagoon in Foster City
Despite its name, the San Francisco Water Lantern Festival takes place at Leo J. Ryan Park in Foster City on the Peninsula. Enjoy music and browse the food trucks by the lagoon; making and launching a lantern requires a separate experience ticket for your chosen date.
The listed dates have passed. This shared page remains for reference; check the current edition for upcoming plans.
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Organizer promotional water-lantern photograph; not a photograph of the 2026 Foster City event.
Details to plan before you go
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Both days run 5–9pm, with lantern decorating at 7:30pm and the launch from 8–9pm. Choose October 3 or October 4 when buying tickets; do not assume a single-day ticket covers both days.
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The city's notice states that festival admission is free, but tickets are required for the lantern experience and launch: https://www.fostercity.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=1142 . The organizer's FAQ separately says children under 8 enter free without a ticket, while ages 8 and up need a ticket. Free child admission does not mean every child receives a free lantern; confirm eligibility and package contents on the ticket page for your chosen date.
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The page displays several ticket tiers and packages; an early-bird price is not a confirmed current offer. Before checkout, confirm the date, price, additional fees and included supplies. Food and drinks cost extra. Severe weather such as lightning or high winds may delay or reschedule the event; check organizer updates before leaving.
Venue · Leo J. Ryan Park · 650 Shell Blvd
For · Families with children / Art and crafts