Lantern Parade’s Chantelle Rytter Brings Halloween-themed "Where the Weird Things Are" Back to the Beltline Lantern Parade’s Chantelle Rytter Brings Halloween-themed "Where the Weird Things Are" Back to the Beltline

For more than 16 years, Chantelle Rytter and her puppet creations have illuminated the Beltline trail, drawing thousands of spectators and hundreds of community participants around her annual Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade.

In 2023, Rytter and her Krewe of Grateful Gluttons introduced "Where the Weird Things Are,” a special Halloween experience that brings together local folklore, giant mythical creatures and their stories.

The immersive, participatory experience offers much of the same whimsy and fantasy of the Lantern Parade, but with a twist. “Where the Weird Things Are” takes on a reverse parade format where parade participants are stationary, and spectators are invited to walk around them. Attendees will stroll around the pond of Historic Fourth Ward Park to experience the puppet line-up or, as with the Lantern Parade, may join in with their own “weird” creations. “Where the Weird Things Are” will feature live music, provided once again by Atlanta-based marching band the Black Sheep Ensemble.

EVENT DETAILS: 

WHO: Atlanta Beltline Art, Atlanta Beltline's arts and culture program, in collaboration with event creator Chantelle Rytter and her Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons

WHAT: Atlanta Beltline Art’s “Where the Weird Things Are”
A special Halloween-themed experience dedicated to conjuring the mystical creatures who live in the wild places of our imaginations and along the Atlanta Beltline to appear, dance and speak their tales. Unlike a typical parade, this "upside down parade" hosted by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, will be stationary. Attendees are invited to stroll around the pond and through the parade — or create their own weird thing and join the upside down parade. Guests are also welcome to pack a picnic and have a seat at the amphitheater to catch the entire experience. 

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

WHERE: Amphitheater at Historic Fourth Ward Park (Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail)
680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

WHY: For more than 16 years, since the inaugural Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade, Chantelle Rytter’s partnership with Atlanta Beltline Art has set the tone for what arts and culture could look like as a tool for community engagement and activation, exemplifying how public infrastructure can become a canvas for civic participation and artistic engagement. 

For more information, visit Where the Weird Things Are.

The 2026 Atlanta Beltline Art exhibition and programming is sponsored by Delta Air Lines at the Gold level; Northside Hospital and Ponce City Market at the Silver level.

This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. This program is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly and funding from its partner agency – the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Atlanta Beltline Art is made possible through public and philanthropic support. Patrons of the arts interested in bringing new works and special events to the Atlanta Beltline can do so through the Atlanta Beltline Partnership, the fundraising foundation for the Atlanta Beltline. For more information, contact development@atlblp.org or visit beltline.org/support.