It came from outer space!
It Came From Outer Space!
The much-loved Wells Lantern Festival returns on 17 January 2026 bringing light, colour and creativity to the heart of the city during the darkest days of winter. This year promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, with new committee members, fresh branding, and a brand-new wellslanternfest Instagram page to follow for updates and inspiration.
And don’t forget to look out for the Lantern Fest Stars as you wander through the City creating a trail of twinkling hints that the festival is nearly here!
Join our workshops
To give everyone plenty of time to craft their glowing creations, workshops will run before Christmas and again in the New Year:
13th & 14th December– Blue School Sports Centre
3rd & 4th January– Blue School Sports Centre
Workshop sessions each day:
10am – 1pm
1pm – 4pm
A basic lantern can be completed within a single session.
Larger, more ambitious designs will require additional time.
Workshop costs:
£5 for a basic lantern
£2 per string of lights
Additional charges may apply for extra materials or specialised kit.
Supervision:
Although help will be on hand throughout the workshops, All children must be accompanied and under 8s need one adult per child.
All ages and abilities are welcome — families, schools, community groups and first-time makers.
Wells Lantern Parade 2025
A Carnival of Animals
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
With thanks to Brendan Doyle Photography
✨ A Big Thank You to Our Sponsors! ✨
We'd like to express our gratitude to the Dean and Chapter of Wells Cathedral for allowing us to start the parade in this most magnificent space. Our thanks to the Mayor and Councillors for the generous grant from Wells City Council which helps us fund this wonderful community event. To Steve Wilson at The Square for his generous sponsorship and endless creativity. Thank you to Jeanne London at The Changing Room for your kind support. Your support makes the Lantern Parade possible! Thank you to CRS Building Supplies for donating some masking tape.
A huge thank you to Wells Community Network for providing the marshals for the event and some volunteers at the workshops. Thank you to the Fresh n’ Good team at Sustainable Wells and Bramble Kitchen for supplying the food. Thank you to Brendan Doyle Photography for taking such wonderful photos.
With many thanks to our supporters and sponsors
Thank you for taking part in this year’s 2024 ‘Festivals’ lantern parade. Here are a selection of the wonderful photographs from Brendan Doyle.
We are very grateful to the Dean and Chapter and Bishop Michael for supporting this event and allowing us to parade around such special buildings.
Thank you too to all the volunteers and the Bristol Ambling Band for making the event so special. And thank you to Brendan Doyle for letting us share his photographs.
WORKSHOP DATES 2025
If you want to start preparing early for next years lantern parade
January 2025
You can make your lanterns at home and get your willow kits here
If you are buying your own kits - the willows need to be soaked before hand. Musgrove Willows provide some handy tips
Light Up Wells Lantern Parade 2020