Derby Lantern Parade – Thursday 27 November, starting at 5pm

Volunteers Wanted - For more information click here

Open to all and its FREE!

Come with your friends and family and join our annual Derby Lantern Parade, ahead of the city’s Christmas light switch on event. Don’t forget to bring your own lanterns but no glass or real flame allowed!

The lantern parade is a key part of the Derby Season of Light (DSOL) festival, organised by Surtal Arts, which has included an array of cultural events, a cross-city lantern sculpture trail, music performances and creative workshops with their venue partners.

This year’s parade theme is ‘Light' 'Peace & Friendship' which reflects a key message behind DSOL of celebrating Derby's diversity, bringing communities together and making Derby a cohesive city.

Starting at 4pm from St Peter’s Cross, participants who have attended one of the various lantern making workshops will be joined by more than 350 pupils from local primary schools (Ivyhouse, Bemrose, Firs Primary, Griffe Field Primary and Akaal primary) Derby College and members of Family Hubs and local community groups who will proudly parade through the streets with the floral lanterns that they have made. 

Every lantern has been created with biodegradable materials including willow, bamboo, tissue paper, LED lights and chemical-free glue.

They will be joined in the multi-cultural parade by two illuminated Christmas themed stilt walkers, Bollywood Bhangra dancers from Surtal Arts and Derby College, Ukranian Hopak dancers from Hoverla dance ensemble, rummers from DHOL Frequency and Chinese Fan & ribbon dancers who will start from from St. Peter’s Church Square. Parade route is short and takes approx 30-40min.

The parade then concludes with energetic dance and drumming performances on Christmas Light Switch on Stage, adding colour and dynamism to whole Festive Derby which is organised by Derby LIVE.    

It's a great family day out not to be missed! 

Thank you to all our volunteers and our funders Arts Council of England, Derby City Council, Derby Live and Cosy for their support.