Christmas Lantern parade to start the countdown of Tameside’s festive celebrations

Tameside’s spectacular Christmas Lantern Parade will take place on Saturday 18 November in Ashton town centre and will light the way for festivities across the borough.

Last year’s exciting parade brought a stunning and magical combination of local performers, lanterns, music, and puppets providing an electric atmosphere and festive extravaganza enjoyed by families and all ages.

This year the event will run from the afternoon to early evening and will culminate in Father Christmas lighting up the tree and town by turning on the big switch!

As always, the event will be a combined effort from Tameside Council, local residents, businesses, and artists which will be led by Global Grooves in collaboration with Cabassa and No-Eyed Theatre. There will lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved, with a chance to perform as well as to make and take part in the lantern parade.

As the first festive event, the lantern parade will also start the community led Christmas celebration events, which are supported by the Council, and take place across the borough. All nine Tameside towns will be holding Christmas events which will include everything from fairs, markets, food, and fun activities for all the family.

The dates for the events are as follows:

Friday 24 November - Audenshaw and Dukinfield
Saturday 25 November – Stalybridge, Denton, Mossley and Hyde
Friday 1 December – Hattersley
Saturday 2 December – Droylsden

Stalybridge will also play host on Saturday 25 November to the final Stalybridge Street Fest event of the year which will move to a Saturday slot to ensure a bumper celebration event.

Tameside Council Assistant Executive Member Culture, Heritage & Digital Inclusivity Cllr Sangita Patel said: “We want to build on the brilliant success of last year’s parade when over 5000 people came out to enjoy the event creating an electric atmosphere and Ashton was positively buzzing with festive cheer. This year we want to make it bigger and better and are looking to get even more of the community involved. Everyone can play a part and really help support the event by joining in to help make lanterns, being part of the action or just by coming to watch and enjoy the dazzling displays lighting up the town in a true family friendly event.”

“Our festive events really highlight all of our towns across Tameside, which all bring their own unique and vibrant character to ensure that everyone can share in the festive spirit and pride in supporting their local community event.”

The Tameside Christmas Lantern Parade and Street Fest Event will be fully Funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for Communities and Place.

For all the latest up to date information on what’s happening in your town, go to www.intameside.co.uk