Picture this: In your hands, you hold a paper lantern aglow in the crisp night air. On it, you've written your dreams for the future or maybe a poem that inspires you. You set it on top of the Ohio River water to join dozens of other lanterns lit by Louisvillians.

You've just pictured the annual Water Lantern Festival, returning to the Great Lawn at Waterfront Park on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The details

Tickets are $26.98 from now until Wednesday, Sept. 13. After that, they will go up to $45.99 and will be $55.99 the day of the event. So, grab them while they're basically half-price.

Each ticket includes entry into the festival area, a floating lantern kit with an LED candle + a marker. Plus, a commemorative drawstring bag and conversation cards to keep the chat afloat with other attendees.

Going with a group? There are youth and date night tickets available. You can also purchase additional lanterns to really fire it up.

If you're worried about keeping our beloved Waterfront Park trash free, the festival has that covered. After the event, teams clean up the lanterns and any existing trash + the lanterns are made of rice paper and wood in an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible.

The schedule

Here's how the night will light up:

5 p.m. — Gates open. Set the mood with food trucks, music, and conversation cards
7:30 p.m. — Begin decorating your lanterns
8 p.m. — Lantern launch begins
9 p.m. — Event ends

Learn more about the event and snag your tickets online.In NL, sub out with "by tapping the link below." CTA: "Get lit" or "Light up the night"