Under a quiet desert sky just outside Mesquite, thousands gathered on May 2 for an evening that was less about spectacle and more about healing.

The Lights Fest, held at Mesquite Motocross Park in nearby Littlefield, Arizona, drew a near-capacity crowd, with approximately 4,500 attendees pre-registered out of a 5,000-person limit. Families, couples, children and friends stood side by side, many carrying something unseen — grief, hope, memories or simply a need to let go.

Founded in 2016 by Drew Dunn and Colin Larsen, who are based in the Salt Lake City, area, and produced through Viive Events, the event travels from location to location. A gathering in California was held just one week prior.

As dusk settled in, tiki torches flickered to life, casting a warm glow across the crowd. An uplifting atmosphere filled the evening, with music, laughter and quiet moments of reflection blending together. Blankets, pillows and chairs created cozy spaces for individuals and groups to settle in and share the experience together. Despite the size of the crowd, the setting remained calm and deeply peaceful — thousands of people, all there for one shared purpose: peace.

People took time to write messages on their lanterns — notes to loved ones in heaven, words of forgiveness, dreams for the future and burdens they were ready to release.

Local Logandale resident Vanessa Villa reflected on that purpose. “We want to bring good things in and let the bad go,” she said.

“Not to get personal,” co-founder Dunn said, “but I lit a lantern for my sister I lost five years ago, and it was a healing, connective experience. It’s really not fair to call this a job. I am a very lucky individual to be able to offer this to others. I am blessed.”

Live music from up-and-coming country artist Jeffrey East added to the evening’s tone, creating a relaxed backdrop. Food trucks lined the venue, while merchandise booths offered keepsakes featuring “The Lights,” giving attendees a chance to linger and take a piece of the experience home.

Before the lanterns were released, a demonstration guided attendees through proper use, emphasizing both safety and care for the environment. Each lantern is specially designed to rise gently into the sky, then burn out and fall straight back to the ground. A dedicated cleanup crew remains on site to collect every lantern, honoring the event’s “leave no trace” commitment.

Local first responders, including Beaver Dam Fire Department and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, were present throughout the evening, ensuring the event remained safe for all.

As night fell, two coordinated launches sent thousands of glowing lanterns into the desert sky. Watching them rise, lifting toward the heavens, was a magical sight. With “Hallelujah” carried across the crowd in piano and song, the moment felt almost sacred, as if time slowed and every light held a story.

In a world often filled with chaos, the evening served as a quiet reminder of what truly matters: letting go of the bad, holding on to the good and making room for renewed hope. Life carries both joy and heartache, but in moments like this, love feels worth the risk, and healing feels possible.

For many, it wasn’t just about watching lanterns rise; it was about believing, even if just for a moment, that light still exists.