Volunteers from Children and the Arts braved frigid temperatures Friday to install lanterns in Putnam Park for the 2025 Children and the Arts Lantern Festival.

Volunteers and community members, including students in the ConVal School District, spent weeks creating handmade lanterns on the festival’s theme, “Garden of Light.” The lantern parade moved down Main and Grove streets on Saturday evening, Dec. 6, for the annual installation. The lanterns remained on display through Sunday night, Dec. 7.

More information about Children and the Arts and the Lantern Festival is available at childrenandthearts.org.

Volunteers gather at PES at the start of the 2025 Lantern Parade in Peterborough. This year’s theme was “Garden of Light.” Credit: COURTESY
The lantern village in Putnam Park in Peterborough on Friday night, Dec. 5. Credit: JESSECA TIMMONS/Ledger-Transcript
A lighted tree in Putnam Park at the Peterborough Lantern Festival. Credit: JESSECA TIMMONS/Ledger-Transcript
Small volunteers ready for the 2025 Lantern Festival parade. Credit: COURTESY
The tree of lanterns at Putnam Park. Credit: AVA O'NEILL/Courtesy
Lights at Putnam Park. Credit: ANNIE CARD/Courtesy
Flowers and bees in the 2025 “Garden of Light” Lantern Festival. Credit: COURTESY
Volunteers from Children in the Arts get ready for the “Garden of Light” parade. Credit: COURTESY
Butterflies and flowers were part of the “Garden of Light.” Credit: AVA O'NEILL/Courtesy
The 2025 Children in the Arts Lantern Parade makes its way down Grove Street. Credit: ANNIE CARD/Courtesy
“Garden of Light” lanterns in Putnam Park on Friday night.

The lantern village looking toward the Nubanusit River. Credit: JESSECA TIMMONS/Ledger-Transcript