The Feast of Lanterns in Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove, California, is a quaint Victorian seaside community filled with charming old homes.  Each year it celebrates its history and culture during the Feast of Lanterns.  It is Pacific Grove’s oldest tradition, beginning in 1905.  It is a wonderful event that draws this charming small town together with a multitude of fun events and lasts for four days.  The festival includes a lantern parade to the beach, fireworks over the bay, a sandcastle contest, a pageant, and a pet parade.  The pet parade is held on Friday before the last day of the festival on the city’s main street, Lighthouse Avenue.    

Pacific Grove has been billed as “America’s Last Hometown” and it is easy to see why, during this magical festival.  Many Pacific Grove businesses & residents show their support by hanging brightly colored lanterns and lights in windows, trees, and on their porches.  There are also a great many private parties held in anticipation of the festival’s finale.

You may have heard the legend of the blue willow, a story about the beautiful antique china pattern. In this story, Chang falls in love with the beautiful Koong-se, and they fly away as immortal doves, forever free.  Pacific Grove, known as Butterfly Town, has its own spin on this story, in which the lovers fly away as Monarch butterflies.  This is depicted in their annual pageant, which takes place on the last night of the festival at Lover’s Point. The story takes place in pantomime. It culminates with a burst of fireworks overhead as the lovers are seen for a brief moment before departing in the guise of Monarch butterflies.

The Feast of Lanterns is held the end of July, with the culmination occurring the Saturday of the last full weekend in July.  If you are planning on attending the last day’s events, be sure to arrive early in the day to set up chairs, blankets, etc.  Bring warm jackets, etc. as it can become quite chilly during the evening.  For more information on the festival as well as other upcoming events see Pacific Grove.  Thank you for visiting my blog!  Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!