Lantern Lighting Celebration 2025

The Lantern Lighting ceremony takes place by beautiful Jo Pond. Signs will be posted directing you to the event site. Click here for GPS directions (this will open Google maps). Using this link may take you an alternate route than our signs direct and some roads may be closed for the event.

You may park along roads in the cemetery, except where there are “no parking” signs. Traffic in the cemetery on Lantern Lighting can be heavily congested, especially when entering or exiting the cemetery at the 36th Street & Hennepin Avenue entrance. To avoid traffic congestion, you can also use the 40th Street gate or enter through the Streetcar gate.

Due to the popularity of this event, we strongly encourage carpooling.

Handicap parking will be available near both entrances to the event, there are also options for drop off near event check-in locations. Please follow signs for directions to handicap parking spots.

A bus stop is located right outside of Lakewood at 36th and Hennepin, from there it is approximately a 3/4 mile walk to Jo Pond.

Lakewood has a small bike rack near the front gates. Please do not lock bikes to any of our signs or trees. Please use caution when biking through Lakewood during Lantern Lighting as we see a heavy increase in traffic. We strongly encourage bike riders to park their bike and walk. From the main entrance it is an approximate 3/4 mile walk to the event location.

Please use extra caution when biking at the end of the event as the roads are very dark and visibility is low. 

Due to the size and popularity of this event, we will have additional gates open for easy access for neighbors. This includes the Como-Harriet Streetcar gate and the 40th Street Gate.

To keep Lakewood beautiful for families who may be visiting loved ones and the wildlife that call Lakewood home, our grounds crew will clear out the lanterns and remove any excess debris from the lake each evening. The decorative part of the lantern will be recycled, and the lantern bases will be reused.

Portable outdoor restrooms (standard and ADA sizes) will be set up at the event, near the Info Tents, and available throughout the evening. Before 7 PM, indoor restrooms will be available inside the Garden Mausoleum (accessible), Community Mausoleum, and Memorial Chapel (two single stalls). (Please note these buildings are located few blocks’ distance from the event itself.)

Absolutely! Our Lantern Lighting Celebration is about coming together to honor those are missed and loved. All are welcome to attend our Lantern Lighting Celebration. Although many of our attendees are celebrating the life of someone at Lakewood, you are welcome to honor anyone that you would like on your lanterns.

Yes – to add a name, stop by one of the information tents before 7 PM. Names will be added at the end of the alphabetical list.

Unfortunately you will not be able to get your lantern back after the event.

Please bring copies of photographs, not originals! As mentioned above, the lanterns will not be returned after the event.

The Garden Mausoleum, Memorial Mausoleum, and the Memorial Chapel will all be open until 7pm. Please note that these buildings are about a half a mile away from the event location.

The Welcome Center will not be open for this event.

While it is not required, we still encourage you to register as attending. This not only allows us to track attendance, but will also allow us to contact you with information regarding the event (for example, information on location and parking, and if there are any cancellation notices.)

Yes, you are welcome to bring light snacks and beverages. We strongly encourage you to support our onsite food trucks but understand that lines can sometimes be long for this event. Food trucks will also be available.

Please make sure to clean up and not leave any trash on the grounds. Alcohol is not permitted onsite at Lakewood.

Dogs and other pets are not permitted anywhere at Lakewood unless they are service animals.

If it rains, all tickets for that evening will be fully refunded. If it rains on Friday and you want to attend Saturday, you will need to purchase new tickets for that night (we will reopen ticket sales if needed.)

We will not be offering a rain date this year.

Prior to Wednesday, September 17th at 5pm: You will need to request a refund and re-register for your preferred night. If you have trouble requesting a refund, please call 612-540-5165 or email events @lakewoodcemetery.org.

After Wednesday, September 17th at 5pm: You will need to request a refund and pay for a lantern at the door with the door price of $15. We are not able to move reservations after September 18th.

We’d love to hear from you! Email us at events@lakewoodcemetery.org or call 612-540-5165.