Get your camera ready! The Lights Fest heads back to the Birmingham area Saturday, May 11

The Lights Fest is headed to the Talledega Speedway Saturday, May 11. (Photo via The Lights Fest)
The festival is headed to the Talledega Grand Prix Racetrack Saturday, May 11. (Photo via The Lights Fest)

Get ready to blow up your followers’ Instagram feed at The Lights Fest. The picture-perfect festival announced they are returning to the Birmingham area agian Saturday, May 11 for a day of food, music and lantern lighting!

Tiki torches light the grounds as festival goers wait for nightfall. (Photo via The Lights Fest)
Tiki torches light the grounds as festival goers wait for nightfall. (Photo via The Lights Fest)

Past Lights Fest events brought people by the thousands to various locations, gathering to unanimously send lighted lanterns away with messages of their hopes and dreams written on them. The tickets for the family-friendly event go on sale Monday, February 4 at 8 PM for the Saturday, May 11th event.

Lighting Up the sky

The event will take place at the nearby Talladega Grand Prix Racetrack. According to their website, the festival needs to be at a location with plenty of space for the lanterns to safely release into the night sky.

The lanterns are released in unison at a pre-set time. (Photo via The Lights Fest)
The lanterns are released in unison at a pre-set time. (Photo via The Lights Fest)

What to expect at The Lights Fest

Expect live music, food trucks galore and a picture perfect lantern sendoff. (Maybe some awe-inspired tears, because it sounds like quite the uplifting experience!) One thing you should not expect: Alcohol. Unlike most festivals, this is an alcohol free event.

For the main event, festival-goers will use tiki torches to light the customized eco-friendly lanterns. Designed to stay in the air for a short period of time, the lanterns will float no more than 1 mile and will later be retrieved by The Lights Fest Team.

The local fire marshal and fire department will monitor conditions throughout the day to determine conditions are acceptable for a lantern release. If winds exceed 15 MPH, the event will be rescheduled for a later date.

Thousands of lanterns are released into the air in unison with the personal wishes, dreams and goals of festival-goers below written on them. (Photo via The Lights Fest)
Thousands of lanterns are released into the air in unison with the personal wishes, dreams and goals of festival-goers below written on them. (Photo via The Lights Fest)

Kid-friendly day of fun

I wouldn’t generally consider bringing my kids to an event where I’d be sending a large fireball into the sky. However, this is one is perfect for all ages. The festival boasts a perfect safety record and cuts no corners regarding the safety of festival goers and of the land. There will also be bouncy houses, face painting and a kids dance party.

The event is perfect for the whole family! The Lights Fest is intended to be a celebration for everyone. (Photo via The Lights Fest)
The event is perfect for the whole family! The Lights Fest is intended to be a celebration for everyone. (Photo via The Lights Fest)

More details? You bet.

What: The Lights Festival

When: Saturday, May 11 from 2 PM to 7 PM

Cost: Tickets range from $30 to $55

Where: Talladega Grand Prix Raceway 6 Pilgrim Lane, Munford, Alabama

Tickets?: Tickets go on sale Monday, February 4th at 8 PM Lights Fest website

Check out this video to see what it’s really like at the festival:

Lights Fest not your thing? Check out these 11 Birmingham food festivals not to miss Spring 2019.

Are you going this year? If you do, be sure to tag us with all your lantern photos on social media. Our handle is @BhamNow.

Christine Hull
Christine Hull
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