Join Newbury’s Festival of Light

DATE

December 12, 2024

The illuminated parade takes to the streets of the town on Sunday, 15th December from 4pm in Market Place

The Corn Exchange Newbury is set to light up the streets of the town on Sunday 15th December, as their annual Festival of Light returns for another year to unite local people in an incredible illuminated procession.

From the terrific lantern making workshops, to opportunities to lead this phenomenal parade as part of their community Samba band, everyone is welcome to come together to celebrate the festive season.

The Festival of Light has seen over 30,000 people engage in the festival over the past 12 years, with 9,600 people having participated in the parade during that time. The parade will travel along Northbrook Street before arriving in the Market Place where locals can expect catchy live music.

The Corn Exchange have been running lantern making workshops at 101 Outdoor Arts and in local schools so pupils can ignite their creativity for the festive celebration.

Workshops have also been held for the community Samba band inviting as many people as possible to take part. Led by Reading based Music Charity Readipop featuring experienced drummers from Beatroots Bateria, they have guided participants through the process of learning the samba instruments, rehearsing the patterns and routines and forming a marching drumming troupe to perform at the magical winter parade.

Based on a former US nuclear airbase outside Newbury, 101 Outdoor Arts has grown to be a unique powerhouse for creativity, supporting the creation of hundreds of performances and installations destined to be showcased at festivals, major arts events and cultural programmes both across the UK and internationally. Whilst the Corn Exchange Newbury have been presenting outdoor events in Newbury for over 12 years, this year marks ten year since they opened the 101 National Centre for Arts in Public Space. With the support of Arts Council England and Greenham Trust, they host hundreds of artists every year in the centre’s unique facility, which includes residential accommodation and scenic fabrication facilities, and where the lanterns and festival programme will be created ready for the procession on the 15th December.

101 Outdoor Arts produces a year-round, free programme of national and international outdoor arts performances with the Corn Exchange Newbury, engaging thousands of audiences annually, and striving to involve thousands of local participants, volunteers and community groups across Newbury to widen the scope for creative engagement in the arts.

Corn Exchange Newbury’s Director, Jessica Jhundoo-Evans comments, The Festival of Light is always a highlight of the year for us; bringing together local people and volunteers to create beautiful lanterns and bringing our community together in an illuminated procession. It is a joy to see families and friends gather to enjoy this magical event and to know that people love it enough to keep it fixed in their calendars.


Latest posts

Share

RELATED STORIES

MORE STORIES

thumbnail

Discover the stories behind Britain’s gardens with historian Advolly Richmond

Join Advolly Richmond this March 2026, for a talk on the people and plants that shaped Britain’s gardens at Aylesbury Methodist Church.

READ MORE
thumbnail

Experience the award-winning illusionist Derren Brown live in High Wycombe

Derren Brown brings his smash-hit Only Human tour to Wycombe Swan.

READ MORE
thumbnail

Amersham Festival of Music returns for the spring season in 2026

Amersham Festival of Music returns this spring with a rich line-up of concerts celebrating artistry, community and musical discovery.

thumbnail

The Shawshank Redemption comes to Wycombe Swan Theatre in March 2026

Step inside the walls of Stephen King’s legendary maximum-security prison and experience the acclaimed stage adaptation of the much-loved novella, as The Shawshank Redemption arrives at the Wycombe Swan Theatre.

thumbnail

Hop into Easter: best fun-filled activities across the South East

From egg-citing hunts and crafty workshops to family-friendly days out, we’ve rounded up some of the best activities near you to make this spring holiday extra special.