"The Lantern Parade is more than something to watch. It's something we make together." That is how The Art Base describes Lantern Parade: Light the Way Basalt. The parade walks down Midland Avenue for the first time on Friday, December 11, 2026.
Between now and parade night, the gallery at 174 Midland Avenue is collecting them one session at a time, from families, friends, local businesses and community groups. The rest of Basalt's season works on the same pattern. Each hub gets its own night, Willits goes first, and on the last weekend Santa rides a fire truck down individual streets.
A Thirtieth Birthday on Midland Avenue
The Art Base is staging the parade as part of Merry on Midland and as part of its own 30th anniversary. It calls this the "first-ever annual" Lantern Parade, so the plan is to hold it every year.
The route is short. The procession leaves The Art Base at 6:15 p.m. and walks from the top of Midland Avenue to Lions Park, timed to arrive for the tree lighting. The gallery describes the route as accessible and invites people who walk, use a wheelchair, ride a mobility scooter or push a stroller.
After the tree lighting, the gallery reopens for snacks, drinks and an opening reception for two shows: "Inner Workings: the Art Base Staff Show," and work by Lindsey Yeager. The Art Base's 30th year ends with its own staff on the walls and the town walking back up the street to see them.
Where the Lanterns Get Made
You can't buy a lantern for this parade. You make one, at the gallery or at home. From Thursday, November 19, the remaining ways to make one are:
- Drop in at the Art Commons. Through November and December, the public lantern-making table at the front of the gallery is open during gallery hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free and open to all.
- Community Night, Tuesday, December 1, 5 to 7 p.m. The Art Base supplies materials and suggests bringing your own container or a clean recycled item to turn into a lantern. Wine, beer and snacks are served, and children are welcome with an adult.
- Let Your Light Shine, Thursday, December 3. This is a holiday edition of Hues & Brews, sponsored by Aspen Out, for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. It is free, supplies are provided, and registration is required.
- Crafternoon, Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m. to noon. A morning lantern-making session aimed at families.
If you make one at home, bring it on the night. The Dec. 3 event page notes that a finished lantern can also hang in your own window if you'd rather not carry it down Midland.
Willits Gets the First Week
The lantern sessions start downtown, but the town's holiday events start down valley. Saturday, November 28 is Small Business Saturday, and the Basalt Chamber is urging people to shop locally that day.
The next day, Sunday, November 29, TACAW, the Arts Campus at Willits at 400 Robinson Street, hosts the third annual Basalt Holiday Market with the Town of Basalt. It is free and features local artists, jewelers, bakers and more. It runs through the afternoon, and TACAW's event page has the hours. Hannah Kaufman at the Town takes market inquiries at [email protected].
Five days later, on Friday, December 4, Light Up Willits lights the tree at Triangle Park from 4 to 6 p.m. The Town's lineup includes Santa taking wish lists in person, live entertainment, food and drinks, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The listing advises parking farther away and walking in, because traffic and parking around the park can be difficult.
Triangle Park has a second holiday light. For Chanukah, the Aspen Jewish Congregation lights the Basalt Menorah there at 5 p.m., followed by hosted appetizers at Sure Thing Burger. Event details are on the congregation's Basalt Menorah Lighting page.
The Season, Hub by Hub
| Date | Where | What |
|---|---|---|
| Sun., Nov. 29 | TACAW, 400 Robinson St., Willits | Basalt Holiday Market, afternoon |
| Tue., Dec. 1 | The Art Base, 174 Midland Ave. | Community Night lantern-making, 5 to 7 p.m. |
| Thu., Dec. 3 | The Art Base | Let Your Light Shine, registration required |
| Fri., Dec. 4 | Triangle Park, Willits | Light Up Willits, 4 to 6 p.m. |
| Sun., Dec. 6 | The Art Base | Crafternoon lantern-making, 10 a.m. to noon |
| Fri., Dec. 11 | Midland Avenue and Lions Park | Merry on Midland from 4 p.m., Lantern Parade at 6:15 p.m. |
| Fri., Dec. 11 to Sun., Dec. 13 | Neighborhood streets | Santa in the Neighborhood, Roaring Fork Fire & Rescue |
December 11 Belongs to Midland Avenue
Merry on Midland begins at 4 p.m. along Midland Avenue in Historic Downtown, and admission is free. The Town's program includes the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, live entertainment, food and drinks, and a scavenger hunt through downtown businesses. The Willits note applies here too: the listing recommends parking farther away and walking in. Final details will be posted on the Town of Basalt's holiday page.
The parade sets the timing. The lanterns leave The Art Base at 6:15 p.m. and arrive at Lions Park in time for the lighting. So if you came for the tree lighting, plan to be at Lions Park when the lanterns get there. If you came to walk, be at the top of Midland before 6:15.
The Town is also running the Basalty Tree Pageant, where teams decorate trees around a theme. This year's theme is "Holiday Music." The Town provides the trees free with lights already on and stages them at Basalt River Park. Sign-up is on the Chamber's holiday page, with questions to the Town at 970-927-4701.
Then Santa Comes Down Your Street
Also on Friday, December 11, Santa starts his second circuit of the season. Roaring Fork Fire & Rescue runs Santa in the Neighborhood, its "annual fire truck ride around town," over three nights and covers one area each night. The Chamber lists the event from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Friday, December 11, El Jebel and Willits. The truck leaves the Fire Station at 5:30 p.m. The route covers Blue Lake, including Coyote Circle, Rabbit Road, Badger Road, Buckskin, W. Goose Lane, Black Bear Trail and Deer Run. In El Jebel it runs James Circle, Clark Drive, Floyd Road and Sage Drive. Then it goes through Sopris Village and a long Willits loop: Meadow Drive, Sopris Circle, Evans Road, Jody Road, E. Valley Road, Harris Street, Willits Lane, Frontage Road and City Market. It finishes on Summit Loop, Parkside Lane and Summit Drive.
Saturday, December 12, Historic Downtown. The truck leaves at 5:30 p.m. for Elk Run: Elk Run Drive, Hearthstone, Lauren Lane, Elk Circle, Park Circle, Mountain Court and Riverside Drive. Next come Midland Avenue and Homestead Drive, then Southside along Meadowview Drive, Allison Lane and Alexander Lane.
Sunday, December 13, Snowmass Village. The last night heads up valley through Mountain View, Palisades/Creekside, Base Village, Daly Townhomes, Timbers Club, Fairway III, Sinclair Meadows and Rodeo Place. Woodbridge/Seasons 44, the Snowmass Club and Club Commons are drive-through stops. The truck heads out in the early evening, and RFFR answers questions about timing and routes at 970-340-7040.
From the market at TACAW on November 29 to the Snowmass Village route on December 13, the schedule runs a little over two weeks and reaches Willits, Midland Avenue and dozens of individual streets. Until parade night, the lantern table at The Art Base is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Art Base turns 30 this year, and Basalt's holidays are a good reminder of how much of this town's character lives in places like it. If you're thinking about where your family wants to spend the next 30 Decembers in the Roaring Fork Valley, Garrett Reuss is glad to talk it through with you. Book an appointment whenever the timing suits you.
