Miller Theatre presents the 15th annual Morningside Lights
MORNINGSIDE LIGHTS
"A Common Thread"
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8PM
Morningside Lights celebrates 15 years this fall, illuminating the night in a procession of awe-inspiring handmade lanterns floating through Morningside Park to Columbia's campus.
This year's theme is A Common Thread—an exploration of the visual patterns and motifs that surround us, in textiles, domestic adornments, architecture, and engineered spaces. Workshop participants will create and combine luminous patterned panels into lanterns inspired by the geometry of American quilts. A winding red line will form a visual line that links each design throughout the final procession—a common thread that connects the human fabric across our rich and varied differences.
Free lantern-building workshops will be hosted daily at Miller Theatre. Workshops are geared toward adults and teens, but children ages 10 and up are welcome if working with a participating adult. Workshop registration opens on Wednesday, September 2.
Concept and direction by PROCESSIONAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles, artistic directors
Co-produced by the Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts. Presented in collaboration with the Friends of Morningside Park.
Daily Lantern-Building Workshops: Sept. 12-18
Miller Theatre at Columbia University (116th St. and Broadway)
Illuminated Procession: Saturday, September 19, 8PM
Begins in Morningside Park (116th St. and Morningside Ave.)
All events are free and open to the public
Sign up at morningside-lights.com
“Morningside Lights began fifteen years ago with a small team and a simple idea: that making art together could bring a community closer. Since then, more than 25,000 participants have helped shape lanterns, stories, and shared moments.”