There is no better place to be for Winter Solstice than at the Lismore Lantern Parade.

A huge glowing horse led the 32nd Lismore Lantern Parade. According to the Chinese Horoscope, this is the Year of the Fire Horse.

LightnUp chief executive Jyllie Jackson said the horse symbolies strength, energy and movement.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the parade to the streets of Lismore for more than 30 years,” Ms Jackson said.

“It has become just an important fixture on the community calendar with 24 schools involved, along with many other community organisations.

“It seems as though every year it just gets bigger and better than the previous year.”

The parade started at dusk.

The lanterns began leaving the Riviera Car Park at 5.30pm, moving along Magellan Street through the lantern parade market past the library then up Dawson Street into Oakes Oval.

Along the way, the bucketeers collected donations.

The parade usually attracts more than 30,000 spectators and crowd numbers appeared to be up on previous years.

The parade ended with the powerful and unforgettable fiery finale at Oakes Oval, featuring large scale lanterns, performances, some gentle pyrotechnics and lots of fire.

Entry to the finale was free, only the grandstand with seating required paid tickets.

Lantern Parade Day began at 10.30am with the Market deLight, a mix of regional foods, arts and crafts, and pop-up shops in the CBD.

Local business created Enchanted Windows featuring lights and lanterns.

The Lantern Parade KidsFest ran from 10.30 to 4.30 and included performances, jumping castles and hands-on activities. Of course there was a lantern-decorating station.

There was also the  HeartBeats Festival stage featuring a mix of music and performance throughout the day and into the evening. Scarlet Raffles, Spindarellas and Viel of Dreams were just some of the names that entertained crowds.

And blessedly, the rain stayed away!