Don’t miss the Light Up Wakefield Lantern Parade

Wakefield Council is inviting you to step into a world of winter magic as the Light Up Wakefield Festival (Friday 21 – Sunday 23 November) kicks off with the Christmas Light Switch On followed by a fantastical Lantern Parade through the heart of the city on the Friday evening.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening filled with glowing creations, dazzling performances, and larger-than-life puppets that will light up the streets and your imagination.

Starting at 6pm, following the Christmas Light Switch On at 5.30pm, visitors can expect majestic puppets including a winter dragon, alongside glowing community lanterns, radiant stars, a luminous moon and a wise owl. The hour-long parade will be a feast of spectacle and sound as disco stilt performers groove to the brass beats of the Fat Cat Brass Band and Katumba Samba Band.

Come along with your family and friends and experience a light trail like no other. For three days you can see more installations than ever before across Wakefield city centre.
 
Start your adventure at the Event Hub in WX (Wakefield Exchange) and pick up a free trail map to locate all the art installations appearing across the city. 

The Council is looking for volunteers to be a part of the Parade and experience the magic up close. Some of the parade pieces can be a little heavy, and the route is about 0.5 miles. Volunteers will be on their feet for around an hour, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere and being right in the heart of the action. People can apply via Citizen Coin at: WMDC Festivals & Events Activities

There is also an opportunity to get involved as part of community participation. Take part in a special lantern-making workshop at WX and take your creations to the streets in the Parade. Workshop places are limited so book now to avoid missing out: Lantern Making Workshop | Wakefield Exchange

For more information about Light Up Wakefield, please visit
expwake.co/LightUpWakefield

The Lantern Parade has been created by Handmade Productions in collaboration with Wakefield Council.