Join us with your beautiful handmade Lanterns to Light Up Leamington Spa!
Please wrap up warm, keep a close eye on your children and we will see you there.
When & Where
* Sunday 7th December 2025
* Bandstand in the Royal Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa CV32 4AA
* Meet at 4.15pm for a 5pm start.
Join us from 4.15pm at ‘The Bandstand’ in the Royal Pump Room Gardens for some family entertainment with West End singer David Harrop and our fabulous stilt walkers 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!
The History of the Event
The Leamington Lantern Parade began in 2010, inspired by the historic Lights of Leamington illuminations held in Jephson Gardens from 1951–1961. This was celebrated in 2025 by the Switched on Stories film and exhibition, and SPOTLIGHT Festival.
Reimagining this tradition, the parade invites the community to light up the town with handmade lanterns carried through the centre. Free workshops each November help families create thousands of beautiful withy-and-paper lanterns, alongside larger commissioned works developed with local artists, schools, and organisations.
Organised by BID Leamington and supported by town centre businesses, artists, and volunteers, the popular annual event draws around 1,000 families and 3,000 visitors each year.
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.
PARTICIPANT INFORMATION
A few important safety reminders…
Please …
* Wrap up warm. The event will still go ahead if it rains. Lanterns are amazingly resilient.
* Wear your wellies – the route meanders around the paths of the Royal Pump Room Gardens.
* Give yourself plenty of time to get there for 4.15pm. The parade will start promptly at 5.00pm. Nearby parking can be found in St Peters (P3).
* Obey all traffic signals when arriving and crossing into the Gardens.
* Mind any obstacles on the route and do not rush / please take your time.
* 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.
Once departed, please bring him / her to the Town Hall entrance or the First Aid vehicle near the Town Hall.
If you get cold, please go to the foyer of the Travel Lodge (Regent Hotel).
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.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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 workshops, or to the Lantern Parade, 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 the date listed above. 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.