Event Details
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
The Art Base gallery
174 Midland Avenue, Basalt, CO
Free and open to everyone
Come get creative, connect with fellow artists and community members, and help light up Basalt! Join the Art Base for a special Community Night dedicated to making lanterns for our first-ever Lantern Parade: Light the Way Basalt.
Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply excited to try something new, everyone is invited to design and decorate a lantern to carry in the parade. We’ll provide materials that bring your creativity to life, but we encourage you to bring your own lantern container or a clean, recycled, or repurposed item to transform into something luminous.
Enjoy an evening of art, conversation, wine, beer, and snacks as we create something meaningful together. Children are welcome with adult supervision, making this a creative gathering for the whole community.
Then bring your finished lantern back on Friday, December 11, and join us for the Lantern Parade! We’ll depart from the Art Base at 6:15 PM and walk together down Midland Avenue to Lions Park, arriving in time for Basalt’s tree lighting.
The parade is more than something to watch. It’s something we make together.
Lantern Parade Light the Way Basalt
Friday, December 11, 2026
Parade departs the Art Base at 6:15 PM
The Art Base, 174 Midland Avenue, Basalt, CO
Free and open to everyone
As part of Merry on Midland, we’re bringing art, light, and community together for a joyful procession through downtown Basalt.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the Art Base invites individuals, families, friends, local businesses, and community groups to create lanterns and be part of this shared celebration of creativity and connection.
Make a Lantern with Us
🏮 Join one of the Art Base’s community lantern-making opportunities and create your own lantern to carry in the parade.
➕ You can also make a lantern at home and bring it along to light up the town.
Bring Your Lantern
🏮 Bring your handmade lantern Friday, December 11!
➕ Every lantern adds to the color, creativity, and collective glow of the parade.
Walk with Us
🏮 Join the Art Base for a joyful Lantern Parade down Midland Avenue – leaving from the Art Base at 6:15 PM, Friday, December 11.
➕ We will walk from the top of Midland Ave. to Lions Park, arriving in time for the tree lighting ceremony.
The parade route is accessible and open to everyone. Whether you walk, use a wheelchair, mobility scooter, stroller, or another mobility aid, we invite you to join us!
After the parade, return to the Art Base for snacks, drinks, and time to gather and celebrate. The gallery is open and hosting an opening reception for Inner Workings: the Art Base Staff Show and Lindsey Yeager.
Merry on Midland
Friday, December 11
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Tree Lighting & Activities along Midland Ave.
Downtown Basalt – Midland Ave.
Lantern-Making Opportunities
There are many ways to get involved and make a lantern before parade night!
Community Night: Lantern Making at the Art Base
Tuesday, December 1
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Hues + Brews: Lantern Making
Thursday, December 3
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Adult-only LGBTQ+ art and social night.
Crafternoons at The Art Base
Sunday, December 6
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Make a Lantern in the Art Commons (front of Art Base gallery)
November and December during gallery hours
Wednesday – Saturday
11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Drop in and participate in our public lantern
Free and open to all
