Gadsden, AL – Following a successful debut event, the City of Gadsden has announced that the Spring Lantern Festival will return to Noccalula Falls Park. 

“We knew this event was going to be popular, but it exceeded our expectations,” said Mayor Craig Ford. “The Spring Lantern Festival was popular with our residents, but we also heard from a lot of people who traveled several hours from Tennessee and Georgia to see the lanterns. 

“That’s what we aim to do: have fun events that give local folks something to enjoy while also bringing people to Gadsden, which helps our local economy,” Ford added. 

More than 50,000 people attended this year’s Spring Lantern Festival, and next year’s event is scheduled to run from Feb. 15, 2027, to April 5, 2027. 

The City has again partnered with Kaleido Entertainment and signed a 5-year agreement to make the festival a recurring event. Proceeds from the event go back into the improvement of Noccalula Falls Park. 

At the Spring Lantern Festival, visitors can stroll through hand-crafted lanterns illuminated with vibrant LED lights. 

The lanterns are traditionally crafted by artisans from small pieces of Chinese silk cloth and steel wire. 

Hundreds of lanterns are spread throughout Noccalula Falls Park, depicting animals, dinosaurs, nature, Chinese legends and lore, and more. 

The Spring Lantern Festival also includes a live show of world-class acrobatic performances along with train rides around the park, and food and drink vendors.