Plan Your Visit | Wildwood Lanterns

We strongly recommend that you park for free in the The Promenade at Chenal's back parking lot behind the courtyard. From there take our free parking shuttles to Wildwood's front gate, just 5 minutes away. See parking map below.

The main entrance for the Promenade at Chenal is located at 17711 Chenal Parkway, and the back lot is accessible from both Rahling Rd. and St. Vincent Way on either side of the shopping center.

Shuttle service starts at 5:30 pm on Friday, 3:30 pm on Saturday, and 5 pm Sunday.

Parking shuttles arrive every 15-20 minutes, and they will also pick you up from the front gates and take you back to your cars when you are ready to depart.

Getting Around the Park at Lanterns 2023

Lanterns features seven decorated areas of the park called "vistas" spread out across the park grounds (see festival map below). Each vista celebrates a specific culture, whether real or imaginary. China and Las Vegas will be closest to you on your right as you enter the front gates. You will need to cross through Jamaica to get to the Fairytale Forest, France, and Scotland.

Experiencing Lanterns often requires significant amounts of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes, and feel free to bring along strollers or wagons for children if needed. Be aware that some terrain in the park is rocky and uneven, and there are some hills.

If you have mobility issues that require a wheelchair, some parts of Lanterns (but not all) are accessible to you. You can call our office (501.821.7275) to request parking in the small handicapped parking area inside our gates.

You can use asphalt or concrete pathways to reach China and Las Vegas, so you will have full access to the charity casino and nightly stage show. Wheelchairs can also reach the edge of the beach where Jamaica is located. They can also reach the top edge of the hill overlooking Ukraine, although the main activities for Ukraine are located down a grassy slope .

The Fairytale Forest and Scotland are bordered by concrete pathways, but you must cross the sandy beach in Jamaica to get to the paths, and there are bumpy spots on the paths due to tree roots. Scotland is a 5-10 minute walk from Jamaica (see festival map below).

France is located at the top of a hill on a dirt trail that is probably inaccessible.

Festival Map

Can I bring my pets to Lanterns?

Pets policy

We do not encourage you to bring your pets to Lanterns. The festival is often crowded, which makes the environment less enjoyable and predictable for animals. Also, it's difficult to clean up after them in the dark.

However, we love to see pets on leashes in the park during regular park hours!

Lanterns 2023 Activities

There are so many things to do and see at Lanterns! Some are included in the price of your admission ticket, and others require you to purchase and spend WildBucks, the festival currency.

Included with admission price:

1. Access to all trails, decorated vistas, and light displays

2. Las Vegas stage show performances in the theater auditorium at 7, 8, and 9 pm (no 9 pm show on Sunday)

3. Ukrainian dance performances at 6:45, 7:45, and 8:45 pm in Ukraine

4. Chinese martial arts and dancing in China

5. Bagpipe performances in Scotland

6. Limbo competition in Jamaica

7. Toadstool hunt for kids -- win prizes for finding the five colored toadstools in the park!

(Fairytale Forest)

8. Storytelling from different world cultures, face painting, arts and crafts (Fairytale Forest)

Requires additional purchase (WildBucks):

1. Launch a lighted lantern onto Swan Lake in Scotland ($3 WildBucks)

2. Sample food and beverages at the vistas (prices vary; see full menu)

3. Play blackjack, roulette, or craps in our Las Vegas charity casino

4. Buy craft souvenirs in China or light-up souvenirs elsewhere in the park

5. Donate to medical aid for Ukrainian refugees or tornado aid for displaced Arkansans

What Are WildBucks?

You need WildBucks (the festival currency) to purchase food, drinks, lanterns to launch on the lake, and souvenirs. You also need WildBucks to play in our Las Vegas charity casino.

You can purchase WildBucks at any of the WildBucks stations located around the park. Each WildBuck is $1; we accept both cash and credit cards at WildBucks stations.

Every WildBuck you spend at Lanterns helps to preserve Wildwood Park for the Arts for the community to enjoy today and into the future. You are also supporting nature and arts education in central Arkansas and allowing us to bring you more concerts, stage performances and festival. You make it possible for us to keep the park open to the public free of charge 7 days per week. For more details, see our About Lanterns page.

Because Lanterns is a fundraising event, WildBucks are not refundable.

WildBuck station locations:

On the path between the front gate and the theater (Las Vegas)
At the theater box office
On the asphalt path between Jamaica and Ukraine
At the Butler Gazebo (Scotland)

Planning Your Visit to Lanterns

Lanterns 2023 Hours

Parking at Lanterns 2023