Planning Your Visit to Lanterns
Here's the info you need to have a great Lanterns experience!
​
Getting around the park grounds
​
Parking at Lanterns 2026
Wildwood Park for the Arts is located at 20919 Denny Rd. in Little Rock, AR.
​
Some limited parking is available across from the park's front gates on Denny Road. However, this space fills up fast! Parking across the street from the park costs $10 per car.
​
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 Thursday and Friday and 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Parking shuttles arrive every 15 minutes, and they will also pick you up from the front gates and take you back to your car when you are ready to depart.
Getting Around the Park at Lanterns 2026
Lanterns features decorated areas called "vistas" spread out across the park grounds. Each vista celebrates a specific culture, whether real or imaginary. Japan and China will be closest to you as you enter the front gates.
​
Experiencing Lanterns often requires significant amounts of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes, and feel free to bring 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 use a wheelchair, motor scooter, knee scooter, or other wheeled accommodation, some parts of Lanterns (but not all) are accessible. We recommend that you park across the street from the park, and you may pull up to the front gate long enough to unload passengers and wheelchairs or scooters before parking the car. There is a $10 charge to park across the street from the park.
​
There are occasionally rocks and twigs on the park's asphalt and concrete paths, so the ride can be bumpy.
​
-
China and Honolulu are both located in our theater building, and there are accessible paths to both of those vistas. Our theater building is fully accessible, so you will have access to the free nightly stage show. You can watch the fireworks show on Thursday and Sunday night from anywhere between the front gate and the edge of Swan Lake. You will be able to travel on an asphalt path toward the hot air balloon launch area to watch the launches.
​
-
Egypt is located on the Green area on the near side of Swan Lake. It may not be easy to roll across Egypt, as it may be sand covered. However, you will be able to see some of the activities from the edge of this vista, including the camel rides.
​​​
-
Italy can be reached on paved pathways, but you must cross the grassy area by the lake to get to the paths, and there are bumpy spots on the paths due to tree roots. Italy is a 10-15 minute walk from the front gate.
​
-
Japan is not directly accessible because of the rocky paths, but there is accessible seating in the Pavilion that overlooks the Asian Gardens, so you will be able to see some of the activities. You can reach the Pavilion by going on the paths through the China vista.
​
-
The Land of Oz is not accessible.
​​​​
Can I bring my pets to Lanterns?
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 2026 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. Multicultural stage show performances at the following times:​
Thursday 7:00 and 8:00
Friday 7:30 and 8:30
Saturday: 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30
Sunday: 7:00 and 8:00
​
3. Fireworks show at 8:45 on Thursday and Sunday visible from the shores around Swan Lake
Requires additional purchase (WildBucks):
1. Launch a lighted lantern onto Swan Lake in Italy ($5 WildBucks)
​
2. Sample food and beverages at the vistas (prices vary; see our Food and Drink page)
​
3. Buy craft souvenirs in China or light-up souvenirs elsewhere in the park
​
4. Ride the camels in Egypt ($15 Wildbucks)
​
​
What Are WildBucks?
You need WildBucks (the festival currency) to purchase food, drinks, lanterns to launch on the lake, and souvenirs.
​
​You can purchase WildBucks at any of the WildBucks stations located around the park. 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're also supporting nature and arts education in central Arkansas and enabling 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.
​
WildBucks station locations:
​
-
On the path between the front gate and the theater
-
On the asphalt path near the north shore of Swan Lake
-
At the Butler Gazebo