Photo essay

Photos: Baltimoreans enjoy colorful lanterns, dance and drum performances at Great Halloween Lantern Parade

Published 10/23/2023 2:24 p.m. EDT, Updated 10/23/2023 3:49 p.m. EDT

A pumpkin head at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Baltimoreans came together on Saturday for the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival in Patterson Park.

The day began with a festival that included arts and crafts, a costume contest, lantern-making and street performances, as families also enjoyed food and treats from local food trucks.

At sundown, creatures and spirits of all types gathered for a parade through Patterson Park surrounded by bright and beautiful magical dragons.

A creature chases a cupcake during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

A creature chases a cupcake during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

A moth lantern flies by during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

A dancer performs during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

A dancer performs during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Epic Attraction Marching Unit performs during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Epic Attraction Marching Unit performs during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

A bat soars over the crowd at The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

A bat soars over the crowd at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

A prop hand lies in the grass during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

A prop hand, illuminated by a lantern, lies in the grass during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Jonathan Lynch and his son, Atlas Tao-Lynch, watch the Great Halloween Lantern Parade through neon glasses at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Jonathan Lynch and his son, Atlas Tao-Lynch, watch the Great Halloween Lantern Parade through neon glasses at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Dancers perform during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

A ghost, suspended by a drone, flies through the air at The Great Halloween Lantern Parade & Festival at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023

A ghost, suspended by a drone, flies through the air at the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Marchers and lanterns gather at the start of the Great Halloween Lantern Parade and Festival at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Batalá Washington, an all-women Afro-Brazilian band, plays Samba-Reggae rhythms during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Batalá Washington, an all-women Afro-Brazilian band, plays samba-reggae rhythms during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)

Drummers perform during The Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

Drummers perform during the Great Halloween Lantern Parade at Patterson Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. (Kylie Cooper/The Baltimore Banner)