Save the date

Lantern parade: Saturday 16 January 2027
Start time: 6.30pm
Meeting point: The Cloisters, Wells Cathedral
Location: Wells, Somerset

A lantern-lit tour of medieval Wells

The parade takes participants on a magical lantern-lit tour around some of the best-known medieval sites in Wells.

From the Cloisters, we travel around Wells Cathedral and Cathedral Green before passing through the medieval Penniless Porch and the Bishop’s Eye. We then cross the bridge over the Bishop’s Palace moat, parade around the Croquet Lawn and return through the Bishop’s Eye, finishing in Wells Market Place.

Music along the route

The Ambling Band from Bristol will start the parade, leading our lantern-makers out from the Cloisters. Samba Do Bispo will bring up the rear of the procession before moving to the front to lead one circuit around Wells Cathedral.

Please be aware that the samba drums are loud. Anyone who is sensitive to noise, particularly young children, may wish to bring ear defenders.

A creative celebration for the whole community

The Wells Lantern Festival brings children, families and adults together during the darkest part of the year. Through friendly, accessible community workshops, participants learn creative skills, make something together and take an active part in a shared celebration in the centre of Wells.

We keep workshop costs as affordable as possible, with basic lantern kits starting at £5. Volunteers are on hand to offer practical help and encouragement, including support for anyone making a lantern for the first time.

Families usually create around 70 lanterns during our organised workshops. Many more people make lanterns at home or return to the parade carrying lanterns from previous years.

Everyone is welcome—whether they attend a workshop, make a lantern independently or simply come along and enjoy the parade.

Make a lantern for the parade

Community lantern-making workshops are provisionally planned for:

• Friday 8 January 2027

• Saturday 9 January 2027

• Sunday 10 January 2027

The workshop venue and session times are still to be confirmed. Full details, including booking information, will be published here as soon as arrangements are complete.

Children and supervision

All children must be supervised by a responsible adult throughout the workshop. Children under seven must be accompanied on a one-adult-to-one-child basis.

Lantern-making involves long pieces of willow and tools such as secateurs, so close adult supervision is essential for everyone’s safety.

• Lantern-making at one of our previous community workshops.

Make a lantern at home

You are welcome to make your lantern at home and bring it along to the parade.

Willow rods can be collected from Launcherley Farm by prior arrangement in return for a small donation to Project Factory. Please email emma@projectfactory.uk to arrange collection.

To make a basic lantern, you will need:

• Eight willow rods

• Masking tape

• One cane

• Battery-operated fairy lights

• Wet-strength tissue paper for the first layer

• Coloured tissue paper for decoration; apply this after the wet-strength layer, as coloured tissue can shrivel when it comes into contact with the glue

• PVA glue diluted to half strength

Remember to soak the willow rods before you begin, as this makes them flexible enough to bend into shape. Musgrove Willows provides helpful guidance on preparing and working with willow.

Get involved

Would you like to help at a workshop or support the parade? We would love to hear from volunteers, community organisations and anyone interested in helping make the festival happen.

Email hello@projectfactory.uk

Workshop arrangements and parade details will be updated on this page. You can also follow Project Factory on Facebook and Wells Lantern Fest on Instagram for the latest announcements.