Newbury's Festival of Light lantern procession is Sunday 13 December: bearers at 4pm, off at 4.30pm along Northbrook Street. Free; lantern workshops from 28 Nov.

Newbury’s Festival of Light is on Sunday 13 December 2026. Lantern bearers gather at 4pm, and at 4.30pm the procession sets off along Northbrook Street to Market Place, where there is live music. It is free, with no booking needed to watch, and suitable for all ages. The Corn Exchange runs it.

Everything here comes from the Corn Exchange’s own Festival of Light 2026 page and its two workshop pages, read on 26 October 2026, and Newbury BID’s Visit Newbury listing, which gives the same date and start.

The quick answer

  • When: Sunday 13 December 2026. Lantern bearers arrive at 4pm; the procession starts at 4.30pm.
  • Route: along Northbrook Street, finishing in Market Place with live music.
  • Cost: free to watch, no booking.
  • To carry a lantern: make one at a free workshop at 101 Outdoor Arts, Greenham, on 28 or 29 November or 5 or 6 December. Booking is required, and last year’s sold out.
  • Is it on this year? Yes. The Corn Exchange had published the date and times by early September.

Make a lantern: the workshops

You do not need your own lantern to watch, but the procession is made of lanterns built at the Corn Exchange’s workshops, by schools, community groups and the public. Two kinds are on offer, both at 101 Outdoor Arts, Greenham Business Park, RG19 6HN.

Lantern Making Workshops, on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November and Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, with sessions from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm. You make “a traditional pyramid lantern out of willow and paper”, which takes one to two hours. Free, but pre-booking is required, with a £5 suggested donation. Children must come with an adult, and booking closes 24 hours before each session. Book on the Corn Exchange site.

Lantern Making Workshops: For the Brave, on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am to 4pm. A full day spent building a large sculptural lantern to join the parade; the Corn Exchange says past designs have included “sharks, hippos, a toucan and a very hungry caterpillar”. Same terms: free, pre-booked, £5 suggested donation, children with an adult. Book on the Corn Exchange site.

Book early. Visit Newbury’s listings for the 2025 workshops, such as the one on 30 November 2025, are marked “Sold Out”. The Corn Exchange may cancel a session that does not reach its minimum numbers, and says it will tell you three working days ahead.

Community groups that want to take part as a group should email getinvolved@cornexchangenew.co.uk.

What is not published yet

  • Where lantern bearers meet. The Corn Exchange gives only “Newbury Town Centre” and 4pm. Workshop bookers are likely to be told directly.
  • When it ends. Visit Newbury’s listing runs to 6pm; the Corn Exchange gives no finish time.
  • Road closures. None published. Northbrook Street and Market Place are already inside the town centre pedestrian zone; how its hours work is on parking in Newbury, and live closures are on Newbury roadworks and travel.

Getting there and parking

The procession is on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of the Christmas shopping season, so town centre car parks will be busy. Prices and free periods are on our parking in Newbury page. Market Place is a short walk from Newbury station.

More Christmas in and around Newbury

When to check back

Detail Status on 26 October 2026 Expected
Date and start Confirmed: Sunday 13 December, bearers 4pm, procession 4.30pm Settled
Workshops Open for booking: 28 and 29 November, 5 and 6 December Settled; may sell out
Assembly point Not published Early December
Road closures Not published Early December
Music line-up in Market Place Not published Early December