Featuring more than 100 lanterns of all shapes and sizes, some dating back 16 years, the Autumn Lights festival will fill the basement spaces of the Athenaeum building in the Octagon.
Artistic director Hannah Johnston said the event, which will run from Thursday, March 29, to Easter Monday, April 2, would fill the entire basement with light, music and performances.
"We will include the pick of the Midwinter Carnival lanterns, such as the amazing whale lantern which has been a highlight in the past couple of years," Ms Johnston said.
The team of lantern artists had also been hard at work creating new lanterns for the Autumn Lights festival, she said.
Held as an adjunct to the Midwinter Carnivals, the lights festival has proven popular with the public.
"They have given people a chance to get up close with the lanterns, to take a really good look at them - something that isn't always possible during the carnival parade around the Octagon," Ms Johnston said.
The event was good for families as entry was by donation, and was also a vital fundraising opportunity for the creative team behind the Midwinter Carnival, she said.
A team of about 50 people was already involved in transporting the lanterns to the Athenaeum building and hosting the event, but more volunteers were needed to help with front-of-house, safety and support.
The Autumn Lights festival will be open to the public from 5pm to 9pm on March 29; 1pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm on March 30, and 1pm to 5pm on March 31, April 1 and 2.
The event is part of a programme of "Paint the Town Ed" activities to be held in the Octagon over Easter during Ed Sheeran's visit to the city.
