Join us with your beautiful handmade Lanterns to Light Up Leamington Spa…
‘Magical Creatures’ are coming …
Enjoy using this year’s theme as inspiration!
03/12/23: The Lantern Parade IS going ahead as planned. The rain won’t be stopping our parade :-). Please wrap up warm, keep a close eye on your children and we will see you there.
The History of the Event
The ‘Leamington Lantern Parade’ started in 2010 and was inspired by the historic ‘Lights of Leamington’ annual lights spectacle and illumination hosted in Jephson Gardens from 1951-1961.
The re-imagined spectacle invites the local community to creatively ‘Luminate Leamington’ with handmade Lanterns that are paraded through the town centre. The event includes free lantern-making workshops each November and over the years thousands of beautiful lanterns have been created from withy and paper. Some years bigger works are commissioned and collaboration with local artists, organisations and schools is welcomed.
This popular annual event, which attracts over 1,000 families and brings around 3,000 people to the town each year, is organised by BID Leamington, with funding from town centre businesses and it benefits from the help of local artists and volunteers. In 2023 Whittle Productions, a local community interest company (CIC) will be supporting the delivery of the event.
To find out more about the historic ‘Lights of Leamington’ please visit the Leamington History Group website by clicking here.
To view images of the ‘Leamington Lantern Parade’ over the years, please click here.
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring the whole community together in a creative way to share in the spirit of the season, meet new people, create something wonderful, share smiles, and have a fun, magical evening lighting up our beautiful town centre.
We also hope to create beautiful experiences and memories, and for the event to attract new people and families every year, so please spread the word.
When & Where
Sunday 3rd December 2023
Meet at 4.15pm at the Bandstand in the Royal Pump Room Gardens
Join us from 4.15pm at ‘The Bandstand’ in the Royal Pump Room Gardens for some family entertainment with west end singer David Harrop, our fabulous stilt walkers and hula hoopers, before the Lantern Parade sets off at approximately 5.00pm. The parade will meander around the Gardens before setting off on a short route to the Town Hall accompanied by carol singers, music and stilt walkers. It will finish with some traditional carols and Christmas songs, accompanied once again by David and Royal Spa Brass, by the Christmas Tree at the Town Hall, where you might also find Santa!
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
We are looking forward to seeing you all with your beautiful lanterns!
Just a few important safety reminders to note … please…
Wrap up warm. The event will still go ahead if it rains. Lanterns are amazingly resilient.
Wear your wellies – as the route meanders around the paths of the Royal Pump Room Gardens.
Nearby parking can be found in St Peters (P3). Give yourself plenty of time to get there for 4.15pm.
The parade will start at 5.00pm
Obey all traffic signals when arriving and crossing into the Gardens.
Mind any obstacles on the route and do not rush.
Hold the hands of small children. The safety of children in your care is solely your responsibility.
LOST CHILD or COLD?
Speak to event Stewards or Police.
While in the Royal Pump Room Gardens – Please bring him / her to the Bandstand.
INFORMATION FOR SPECTATORS
Please join us from 4.15pm in the Royal Pump Room Gardens for some entertainment and to watch all the Lanterns gather.
TOYS FOR CHILDREN COLLECTION
Toys will be collected either by the Bandstand (before parade sets off) or outside the Town Hall.
Toys for Local Children
This Christmas we are collecting Toys for Local Children. The initiative is aimed at supporting families in our community who need a little extra help making their Christmas wishes come true. We appreciate your help in whatever donation that you are able to give. It doesn’t matter how big or small, the only stipulation is that your gift must be new. If you wrap your gift up we just need to know if it’s for a girl or boy and the approximate age between 0-18. All toys will be distributed to local children on Christmas Eve.
Please bring your gifts to one of the weekend lantern making workshop, or to the Lantern Parade on the 4th December where we will be collecting them by the Bandstand in the Royal Pump Room Gardens or by the Town Hall.
Thank you for your generous support and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
Event Notice:
The Leamington Lantern Parade will take place on Sunday 3rd December 2023. Any changes to the plans will be posted on this website.
Event Timing:
- Families participating are asked to meet at the Bandstand in the Royal Pump Room Gardens.
- There will be entertainment available from 4.15pm.
- The parade will set off at 5.00pm.
Please remember to wear extra warm clothing and take care to keep small children close by.
If you are coming to watch, please gather in the Royal Pump Room Gardens and once the parade sets off move to the Town Hall. To find out more about the procession route and timings please click here.