Points of Light is an evening to bring together Lowell's manifold communities while showcasing the diverse food, music, and cultures in our city. The night's centerpiece is the release of 800+ personalized floating lanterns into the Western Canal. Children and adults may draw, decorate, and write thoughts, prayers, or memorials on the lanterns beforehand.

More than a half-dozen local faith-based and secular cultural groups sell traditional food and perform traditional and modern music and dance. In addition, children and adults can view visual art from across the community, play lawn games, enter a survey for a raffle, and participate in a special, collaborative light-up art piece. Drinks will be for sale. After the lanterns are released at sundown, professional musicians representing Lowell's multiple ethnic traditions play during a multicultural "dance party".