Festival of Light enchants Bromsgrove town centre

Magical atmosphere created by carnival procession.

On Sunday 9th December, Bromsgrove town centre once again played host to a magical lantern parade, the Festival of Light 2018.

Created in partnership with Artrix, NWedR and Bromsgrove District Council, the Festival of Light attracted hundreds of people to Bromsgrove’s High Street to participate in a beautiful, illuminated celebration, alongside carnival creators Shademakers, performers and members of the community with their lanterns handmade at workshops in the build up to the event

The parade began at 5pm, as the sun set on Bromsgrove’s High Street. Families and community groups turned out, with beautiful paper lanterns and set about parading through the town centre in a celebration of togetherness, light and the Winter season, all to the sounds of samba band Someone At The Door.

Artrix Associate Artist Kristoffer Huball was the creative force behind the Festival of Light and worked to deliver lantern making workshops with schools, community groups, families and individuals prior to the event. It’s estimated that approximately 800 lanterns have been created in workshops leading up to the festival.

The cold December weather didn’t put off the crowds, even though the temperatures dropped to Arctic levels and it is estimated that more than two thousand people took to the streets of Bromsgrove to enjoy this festive event.

Kristoffer Huball said; “It’s wonderful that the enthusiasm for Bromsgrove’s Festival of Light is growing year-on-year. The creativity of the people of Bromsgrove shines through with the fantastic lanterns they have made and proudly displayed and the Shademakers and our carnival performers brought such vibrancy and energy to the event.”

The finale of this year’s Festival of Light saw Birmingham-based Balkan gypsy band The Destroyers continue the party with their lively set.

Bromsgrove Centres Manager Cheryl Welsh, who part-funded the parade, said; “I’m thrilled that this year’s Festival of Light has continued to bring such joy and creativity to Bromsgrove’s community. The town centre was alive with the excitement of everyone who attended. What an exciting outdoor performance for us all to get involved in!”