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About
Fun for all the family, Winchester Cathedral's popular Winter event returns and everyone is welcome to join in. The annual lantern parade returns to Winchester Cathedral, and this year the theme is Christmas Creatures.
Join Winchester Cathedral in coming together to celebrate Christmas with music, lanterns, and the Christmas Market. Parade from Winchester Cathedral through Winchester with your lanterns and light the way back to the cathedral where The Very Revd Catherine Ogle Dean of Winchester will pick three favourites from her evening of judging, with a prize for all winners.
Dean Catherine's favourite lantern creator will help to switch on the Cathedral lights at the end of the parade. To register your participation in the Lantern Parade click 'book now' at the top of the page. Please note that registering interest is not essential for attendance but would be appreciated by Winchester Cathedral so preparations can be made for expected numbers.
Arts and crafts not your thing?
Don't worry, the parade is a great event for all the family, whether you come to display your own creation, or you join just to enjoy the colourful spectacle. Lap up the atmosphere and admire the skilfully made weird and wonderful lanterns. Make your own lantern You are encouraged to make your own lantern at home by reusing and recycling items which would otherwise have gone in the bin. Re-purpose your materials into something wonderful and give it a new lease of life at this year's Lantern Parade. It is important that only battery operated candles are used inside your lantern creations, no live flames please.
Timings
Gather in the cathedral with your lanterns, from 5.30pm – You are welcome to gather in the cathedral with your lanterns from 5.30pm. Carol singing, from 5.45pm – Sing along to festive classics that will warm your hearts and get you into the spirit of Advent and Christmas. Judging of lanterns, from 6.00pm – The Very Revd Catherine Ogle Dean of Winchester will begin to work her way through the lanterns, do look out for her and let her know what inspired your creation. Group photo of all lanterns, from 6.15pm – An annual tradition, don't forget to say cheese! Get ready for the start of the parade, 6.30pm – Start to make your way out of the Great West Doors as the parade begins.
Parade route: The parade will head past Bar Gate, turning left at Pret A Manger, heading up the High Street to the Buttercross monument where you'll steer left, walking through the passage between L'Occitane En Provence and The Winchester Bakery, you'll then walk across the diagonal on the cathedral grounds and the parade will end outside the West Front of the cathedral. Closing speech and winner announcement, from 7.00pm – Depending on how long the parade will take, the closing speech and winner announcement, by The Very Revd Catherine Ogle Dean of Winchester, is expected to take place at 7pm. Event closes, at 7.15pm Thanks for taking part in this year's Lantern Parade, we hope to welcome you again next year!
Opening Times
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