Everything you need to know!

Everything you need to know about the Night Lights Lantern Festival at Auto City Speedway

Below you'll find all the info you need for the upcoming launch!
** PLEASE READ **

Hey, Night Lighters!

We can’t wait to welcome you to Night Lights on 

Saturday, August 26th, 2023

!

We’re looking forward to a great night and can’t wait to see all the lanterns sailing up into the night's sky.

This page has all of our best tips and important info so you can prep for the perfect night!
important Note
Reminder
Here's what's on this page:
(Click to go to each topic)
When, Where, & What Time
About Your Tickets
What to Bring (& What not to bring)
Venue Rules
Driving Directions & Parking
What to Expect
How to Release Your Lantern
Posting & Tagging Your Photos
FAQ

When, Where, & What Time

When & Where?

Event Date: Saturday, August 26th, 2023

Location: Auto City Speedway

Address: 10205 N Saginaw Rd, Clio, MI 48420

What Time?

Gates Open: 4:00 PM

Enjoy food, games, music, and entertainment. The event area is general admission, so the earlier you are, the better spot you’ll have.

Arrive No Later Than: 7:00 PM

This is so you can avoid traffic, collect your lanterns, get settled, and enjoy the live music vibe. The gates won’t close after then, but the lanterns don’t wait for those who are late.

Lantern Launch: After Sunset

We don’t post an exact time for the launch. The launch time is dependent on weather & wind conditions and fire marshal approval but it typically takes place anytime between sunset and 90 minutes after sunset. Pay special attention to the stage for updates.

Event Ends: 10:30 PM

Plan on 30-60 minutes to exit parking areas. Feel free to hang out a bit after the launch to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

About Your Tickets

Bring your e-Tickets with you.

When you purchased your tickets, you should have received an email with your ticket barcodes.

It really speeds things up if you can print your tickets in advance and bring them with you.

If you don’t have access to a printer, pull them up on your phone and take a screenshot because the cell service might be spotty at the venue.

Can’t find the email with your tickets?

Search your inbox and check your spam/junk folder — sometimes the emails land there.

  • The subject line will be: “Here are your tickets for Night Lights Event!”
  • And the email is coming from: “orders@nightlightsevent.com”

If you still can’t find them, click the button below to open a request with our customer service team. They are awesome and they’ll get back with you fast.

If all else fails, GO TO THE EVENT. Our team can look up your order with your name, email, or phone number at the yellow check-in tents.

Priority Access Kits

If you added Priority Access to your order, you should receive a kit with your wristbands, a copy of the waiver, and a few other goodies.

You should have a special email and text message with all of these details.

If you have a Priority Access Kit, here’s what you need to do:

  • Save a copy of your e-Tickets to your phone just in case.
  • Sign your waiver before you head to the event.
  • Bring your wristbands with you and put them on before you enter the venue.
  • Make sure you bring your lantern claim cards. They are gold and you can’t miss ‘em. :)
  • Walk around the registration lines, and drop your signed waiver with someone on our team.

To Bring or Not to Bring

We get a lot of questions about coolers, pets, chairs, and blankets.

Bring this:

  • Camp Chairs: You’ll be glad you brought one.
  • Proper Shoes: It can be dusty or muddy so plan accordingly.
  • Jacket or Hoodie: You’ll need one for when it cools down.
  • Blankets: You’ll want one to sit on, and one to cuddle with.

Nice to have:

  • Markers: If you want additional colors to decorate your lantern.
  • Games: For hanging out during the live music.
  • Flashlight: For walking around and checking your area after the event.
  • Camera: To get the best photos & footage. If you have it, professional equipment is encouraged to better capture the incredible views!
  • Water Bottles: These must be factory sealed and unopened.

Don’t bring:

  • Dogs, pets, or animals (unless they are ADA certified).
  • Outside food. Small, dry snacks and sealed water bottles are okay.
  • Outside campfire alternatives.

Included with your tickets:

Each ticket includes a lantern, lighter, and marker. Additional lanterns are available for purchase at the event.

Available for purchase at the event:

  • Food (Assorted Food Trucks)
  • Drinks
  • Alcohol (Beer Vendors)

Fire Pits

Radiate™ portable campfire pits are sold separately for $40 each. As seen on Shark Tank, these portable fire pits are perfect for roasting marshmallows and keeping warm at our events!

Please note we have a limited quantity of fire pits. First come first serve!

S’mores

S’more Kits will be available for purchase at the event for $10.

Kit includes two roasting sticks, graham crackers, and enough stuffed 'mallows to practice and make about eight finished s'mores.

Merch

We have cool tees, hoodies, blankets, chairs, and other goodies available for purchase at the event.

Venue Rules

Tickets Required for Entry

Tickets are required for all attendees ages 7 and older. Children under 6 enter for free.

Weather Dependent

Our number 1 priority is holding a safe event that brings the community together to make magical memories. Because Night Lights takes place in outdoor venues, it is highly dependent on the weather including rain, wind, and lightning.

Postponements are Possible

While we will never cancel an event because of weather or environmental conditions, conditions may necessitate a postponement to a later date. If this happens your tickets will automatically transfer to a new make-up date.

Tickets are Non-Refundable

Similar to a sporting event or concert, Night Lights Event has a no-refunds policy. If you purchased tickets and cannot attend, you may qualify for a transfer or future credit, but you will not be eligible to receive a refund unless you purchased Ticket Protection. All ticket transfers and refund requests must be submitted BEFORE the date of the event.

Read more about our refund policy HERE.

Clear Bags & Security Checkpoints

There will be a security checkpoint to enter the venue. Save yourself time by bringing a CLEAR bag.‍

Venue Rules

  • No re-entry
  • No weapons or firearms
  • No coolers
  • No pets allowed, service animals must have ID
  • No smoking
  • No outside food and beverage
  • There will be a security checkpoint to enter the venue
  • Security will be checking bags. Please bring a clear bag.

Driving & Parking

Auto City Speedway

10205 N Saginaw Rd
Clio, MI 48420

Driving Directions

  • Enter the address above into your phone, or click the button below to load the directions in an app.
  • When you get close to the venue you’ll see signage and attendants. They’ll direct you to the right parking lot. We appreciate your patience with our team and the local authorities as they work to get everyone in and out as quickly and safely as possible!

Parking

  • The parking fee has been added to your ticket price at checkout. You won’t need to pay when you arrive!
  • ADA parking is available — let the parking attendant know you need access to the ADA lot when you arrive.

Here's What to Expect...

Check in and pick your spot.

We recommend arriving to the venue with plenty of time to check in and get settled in your picnic spot. The venue is general admission and first come, first serve and picnic spots are mapped out in a grid marked by tiki torches.

There’s plenty to do while you wait.

After you get settled it's time to pick up your lanterns, check out the fire pits, s'mores kits, & merch available for sale, check out the offering of food, snacks, and alcohol available, and play some games.

Enjoy the live music and community vibe.

Around dusk we'll kick off the live music. Fred Lee is our resident musical act and he is PHENOMENAL. Enjoy the live music while the sun goes down. Bonus points if you make a new friend.

Be sure to check out Fred Lee and Late Night Special at one of the links below.

Hang by the fire and see who can make the best s’more.

The campfire vibe is what it's all about. If you want to step up your overall experience we have small Radiate fire pits and s'mores kits available for sale at the merch tent. Each fire is great for a group of 4-8 people.

Prayer Flags

This is new for our events in 2023! Prayer flags are a traditional way to promote peace, compassion, and wisdom in many parts of the world. Originating in Tibet, these colorful flags have a rich history and cultural significance. They are believed to spread positive energy and good will, as the wind carries the prayers and mantras inscribed on them throughout the surrounding area.

Decorating & Displaying Your Flag

Prayer flags are an effective way to spread positivity in your community. Your flag will be displayed at this event and future ones throughout the US. Take some time to reflect on your message of love, compassion, or peace, and inscribe it on a flag to contribute to a more harmonious world.

Creating prayer flags can also be a personal, reflective experience. The act of choosing a message or mantra to inscribe can help clarify your values and intentions. It also serves as a way to express gratitude or set future intentions.
(Tap and hold the graphic above to save to your mobile device)

The Lantern Release

After sunset we come together to release our lanterns together, at the same time. Seeing thousands of lanterns right above your head is a magical and spiritual experience that you have to see to fully understand.

The launch typically takes place an hour after sunset and lasts 15-30 minutes.

Please wait to release your lantern!

The lantern launch is something we all do at the same time… It’s much safer and more beautiful this way. :) Please listen for announcements. We promise — you’ll know when to start getting your lanterns ready.

Lighting Your Lantern

Lighting your lantern will take about 5 minutes. You’ll want to get the fuel cell burning and then hold it close to the ground so it fills up with air like a hot air balloon.
(Tap and hold the graphic above to save to your mobile device)

What happens to all the lanterns?

Our mission is to leave each venue cleaner than we found it — this means that our team heads out after each event with the mission of collecting every single lantern. We also clean up any trash we find along the way.

Posting & Tagging Your Photos

Photos are highly encouraged!

We’d love if you tagged us @nightlightsevent and used the hashtag #nightlightsevent so we can see your photos, videos, and stories.

Please share this page with everyone in your group so they are prepared.

We can’t wait to see you under the night lights!

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the weather is looking sketchy?
If the weather turns, we’ll send updates through email, SMS, and in our Facebook event page. If it’s too rainy or windy we may postpone the event, so watch your email and the updates in the Facebook event page.
I can’t find my tickets!
You should have received an email with your e-tickets right when you purchased. If you don’t know where your tickets are, log in to your Account Dashboard HERE.
Is this safe and legal?
We've worked closely with both state and local officials, as well as fire marshals, to ensure our event is executed safely and legally — especially with regard to the lighting and releasing of lanterns. Night Lights has received a permit for lighting and releasing lanterns. (In most places, this practice is illegal unless you have a permit in place.)The lanterns that Night Lights use are specially-designed. They are 100% biodegradable, flame retardant, and have a fuel cell with a quicker burn time designed to fully burn out before returning to the earth's surface.
Doesn't this make a lot of trash?
The lanterns that we use are above industry standards and have been scientifically created and tested to leave no footprint. The lanterns are 100% biodegradable, flame retardant, and contain a fuel cell designed to fully burn out before the lantern returns to the earth's surface. Each event is equipped with an experienced staff of lantern chasers who retrieve and gather sky lanterns for 48 hours after the event to ensure grounds are left clean and undisturbed.
What happens before the launch?
Outside food policy is determined by the venue, not us. Sealed water is almost always allowed but coolers are not. Across all Night Lights locations, there will be an array of food trucks, beer and wine gardens, and s'mores kits available for purchase.
What should I bring?
We recommend bringing camp chairs and blankets. Sun shades are nice if you plan on arriving earlier in the day. Strollers and wagons are ok, but the venue doesn't allow coolers. Also we don't allow pets or dogs unless they are a service animal.
Still have questions?

Visit Our Help Center to Get Instant Answers to All Your Questions.

Night Lights help center
Oh hey there!

You're here early...

Maybe a bit too early. We haven't got all the details ready quite yet, but check back nearer to the event date and we'll have all the info you need so you can have a great time. Thank you for your patience!
Reschedule Announcement
This event has been rescheduled from May 7th to Sunday, May 8th. Read the full statement HERE.