Derby Lantern Parade 2026

Description

Come with your friends and family and join our annual Derby Lantern Parade, ahead of the city’s Christmas light switch on event. Don’t forget to bring your own lanterns but no glass or real flame allowed!

This year’s parade theme is ‘Light' 'Heroes' which reflects a key message behind DSOL of celebrating Heroes in your life...someone you look upto or something that inspires you. It can be anything or anyone i.e your family member, Spider man, Superman etc. Why not wear a special costume and carry your lantern and join us in the parade and celebrate Derby's diversity, being with other community members and light up Derby city.

Starting at 5pm from St Peter’s Cross, participants who have attended one of the various lantern making workshops will be joined by children, young people and families from local primary schools and Derby College and local community groups who will proudly parade through the streets with colourful lanterns that they have made with biodegradable materials including willow, bamboo, tissue paper, LED lights and chemical-free glue.

Parade revelers will be joined by our amazing Dhol drummers - Dhol Frequency, Bollywood Bhangra dancers from Surtal Arts and Derby College, Ukranian Hopak dancers from Hoverla dance ensemble, Dhol drummers and Chinese dancers who will start from from St. Peter’s Church Square.

Parade route is short and takes approx 40-60min. The parade will start from St Peter's Church Square, passing down St Peter's Street, top of the street at traffic light turn right onto Albert Street, pausing at Osnabrook Square and finally arriving in front of Riverside Chambers on Full Street at 6.30pm.

The Lantern Parade will finish with a colourful performance of Dhol Drumming and Bollywood dance on Christmas Light Switch On stage overseen by our partner, Derby Live. There will also be lots of other entertainment in the city for all the family during the evening, please see Festive Derby for more details.

It's a great family day out not to be missed! Open to all and its FREE!

Want to join the Lantern Parade?

ALL welcome to join our lantern parade. It will be wonderful to see everyone.

Please bring your own lantern but if you do not have a lantern, why not make one at one of our workshops dotted around Derby. We will also have spare lanterns on the day which we can borrow on the day and carry. Just return it after the parade to one of our volunteers. Please come little early at 4.30pm and go to the Lantern Parade Registration point and see one of our staff with high viz jacket.

Thank you to all our volunteers and our funders Arts Council of England, Derby City Council, Derby Live and Cosy for their support.