Get ready to spot the cycling lobster at Winter Lantern Parade in Ramsgate

Lantern making workshop preparing for the parade

A cycling lobster and a giant fisherman will be just two of the special creations in this year’s Winter Lantern Parade in Ramsgate.

The parade will take place on Thursday 22 December and is back for the first time since the pandemic.

Arts in Ramsgate (AiR) is working with organisation Great British Carnival to produce the parade which will have a Safe Harbour theme.

Organisers said: “We have taken Ramsgate and the Harbour as inspiration so, as well as traditional lanterns, look out for boats, fish, a cycling lobster and a giant fisherman.

“There will be a very large reproduction of the lantern on St Georges Church made by local artist Janis Gibbs and a large lantern of the lighthouse in the Harbour.

The lanterns have been made in weekly workshops at Arts in Ramsgate which have taken place since mid November and have been very popular with all ages.

“ We have been so impressed with the creativity and imagination of Ramsgate people. The lanterns are going to be absolutely magical.”

There is still time to get involved with the lantern making with free workshops from noon – 4pm on Monday 19, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21st December at Arts in Ramsgate, 46 High Street Ramsgate.

The Parade will be supported by Ramsgate’s newest community drumming band Samba Ya Wantsum, which is led by Ramsgate resident and musician Emily Peasgood.

The Parade is taking a longer route than previous years, forming up by the Post Office in the High Street and heading down to Harbour Street, Harbour Parade and along to  Ramsgate Main Sands for  a Samba style Christmas Carol singalong.

Winter Lantern Parade 2019

The organisers added: “This is a free, beautiful spectacle that we hope Ramsgate  will really enjoy and adds that extra Christmas sparkle to the town’s festivities.  The more people that take part, the more special it will be so come along on the day and take part or just enjoy this very special, sparkling parade.”

The parade sets off at 4pm on December 22.

The event has been supported by The Big Lottery Community Fund, Ramsgate Town Council and Thanet District Council

*The lanterns are to be carried by those in the parade, they are not for releasing.

7 Comments

    • Arh mate, its not the “arty farty mob” its ordinary people taking part, joining and building community, come along and challenge yourself……….

  1. What a fantastic event! I’ve enjoyed both watching and taking part in previous years, and I’m looking forward to the 2022 event.
    Great to see young people getting involved in this Town event.

    • We are a very new community drumming group. We have a Facebook page if you use Facebook? We have had free weekly sessions at Arts in Ramsgate every Thursday 5.30-7.30. We are taking a break after the Parade, back mid Jan.

Comments are closed.