With just over a month to go until this year’s Christmas Light Switch On and Light the Night Lantern Parade, residents have the opportunity to join a series of community workshops and help bring this year’s Alice in Wonderland theme to life.
Taking place on Friday 27 November from 6pm to 7pm, this year’s parade marks the 10th anniversary of a festive tradition that marks the start of the Christmas season in Frome. The celebrations will also feature festive entertainment and a food court in the Cattle Market Car Park from 3pm to 7.30pm.
People of all ages are invited to create their own lanterns and become part of the magical procession through the town centre. Inspired by the curious characters and imaginative world of Alice in Wonderland, workshops will guide participants in making themed lanterns including Cheshire Cat smiles, Mad Hatter hats, pocket watches, cakes, teacups and playing cards.
The upcoming workshops are:
Cheshire Cat Smile Lanterns
Friday 20 November, 4pm to 6pm
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+
Mad Hatter Hat Lanterns
Saturday 21 November, 10am to 12pm
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+
Jam Tart or Pocket Watch Lanterns
Saturday 21 November, 1pm to 3pm
Suitable for adults and children aged 8+
Cakes or Cups Lanterns
Sunday 22 November, 10am to 12pm
Suitable for adults and children aged 7+
Alice Playing Card Staffs
Sunday 22 November, 1pm to 2.30pm
Suitable for adults and children aged 5+
Mayor of Frome, Cllr Mark Dorrington, said: “For the past decade, the Light the Night Lantern Parade has brought schools, community groups, families and friends together in a colourful celebration of creativity and community spirit. As we mark its 10th anniversary, please do join a workshop, make a lantern at home or simply come along on the night to enjoy the spectacle and celebrate with us.”
Mel Day and Aliss Vaas from Frome Lanterns said: “One of the best things about the parade is seeing people’s ideas come to life. You don’t need any previous experience to take part; our workshops are welcoming, creative and fun. We can’t wait to see hundreds of lanterns lighting up the streets again this November as the town comes together to mark this special milestone.”
If you can’t make a workshop, the Frome Lanterns website is full of inspiration, including video tutorials and instructions for making your own plant-based glue. Lantern kits are available from Frome Town Hall (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm) and the Discover Frome Information Point at Frome Library (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 1pm, and Wednesday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm), making it easy to create a lantern at home and take part in the parade.
Whether you’re carrying a lantern or watching from the sidelines, everyone is invited to be part of this special 10th anniversary event and help light up the streets of Frome.
Workshop places can be booked through the Frome Lanterns website. For more information about Christmas in Frome, visit Discover Frome.
