Winter lantern trail along the canal

From Friday 11th to Sunday 13th December, there’ll be a Winter Lantern Trail along the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury. Sculptural lanterns, light and music will surround the canal, creating the Corn Exchange’s Winter Lantern Trail.

This is a reimagined alternative to the Corn Exchange’s annual Festival of Light: Lantern Procession. This free winter event will be presented as a trail starting at St Nicolas’ Church, Newbury. Visitors will be required to book a timeslot between 5pm and 8pm where they can experience the trail with other members of their household or social bubbles.

Taking visitors on a magical festive journey along the Kennet and Avon Canal, the one-off event will feature unique, highly-crafted lanterns by Thingumajig Theatre, Handmade Parade, Rag and Bone as well as other artists from across the country.

The Corn Exchange is also encouraging families to get creative and help illuminate Newbury by bringing their very own handmade lantern to the event. Activity packs with materials and instructions are available for collection from 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December. Pre-booking is required. 

 Visitors will be required to maintain social distancing, and masks must be worn when queuing for the trail and when within 2 metres of other people. Tickets are now on sale. For more information and to reserve your tickets visit the Corn Exchange website, www.cornexchangenew.com or call the Box Office on 0845 5218 218 (calls cost 2p per minute plus your telephone company’s standard access charge).

Presented by the Corn Exchange and 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space,  this event is generously supported by Greenham Trust and Arts Council England with in kind support from The Canal & River Trust and St. Nicolas’ Church.

Image credit: Ghost Caribou by Thingumajig Theatre photo by Ian Hodgson