A number of immersive experiences are taking over Sydney this summer, from the delightful Bubble Planet to the transportive Machu Picchu exhibition, and they’re designed for maximum visual impact. Among these photogenic events is an enchanting Water Lantern Festival, set to bring a more reflective atmosphere to one of the region’s most expansive green spaces. The event invites visitors to decorate floating lanterns with personal messages and release them onto the water at dusk. Taking place at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, the largest botanical garden in the country and just under an hour from Sydney, the festival will unfold across two evenings in late February. Here’s everything you need to know.
Water Lantern Festival, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
Covering more than 400 hectares, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is touted as the largest botanical garden in Australia and is best-known for its open lawns, lakeside spaces, conservation work, picnic areas and sweeping views across rolling hills and garden landscapes. It’s typically visited during the day, making this a unique opportunity to experience the grounds after dark.
The festival itself will centre around a structured lantern release that will unfold over the course of the evening. Attendees will be provided with floating lanterns, that they can personalise with uplifting messages, before placing them on the water, where they gradually build across the lake. Organisers have confirmed that the lanterns are biodegradable and will be removed from the water once the event concludes, with the area cleaned shortly after to protect the grounds.
Visitors can also expect a mix of food vendors and live music throughout the night, making it well worth the drive from Sydney.
Key information
Where: Lakeside Lawn, Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan
When: February 21 and 22, 2026
Time: 5pm to 9pm
Tickets: From $39.99
Duration: Around four hours
Tickets are available to purchase online on the Botanic Gardens website.
Getting there
The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan is located around 57 kilometres south-west of Sydney’s CBD and is easiest to reach by car, with the drive taking roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. On-site parking is available throughout the garden, with standard road rules enforced. Public transport is also possible via train services to Campbelltown, followed by a connecting bus that stops near the garden on Narellan Road. Plan your travels on Transport for NSW.