Stony Stratford

Lantern Project 2023
Christmas Lights
at
Stony Stratford
The Stony Stratford Lantern Project is an exciting community arts project which sees people
of all ages joining together at York House Centre to make lanterns for the Lantern Procession
which takes place every year as part of the Stony Stratford Switch-On Fun Day

Anyone can make a lantern (although some children will need help). Our lanterns are made from Willow
 withies and masking tape which is then covered with colourful tissue paper and PVA glue and lit from within by a candle.

Every year we have a different theme for the project eg 'Christmas in Toyland' or 'Christmas Under the Sea'.

The 2023 theme will be 'Christmas in Storyland' - loads of scope to let your imagination run wild;
So get your thinking caps on for some fun and colourful creations!


You don't have to join in with the theme, you can make anything you want - the design is limited by your imagination.

On Switch-On Day we meet at York House to collect our lanterns - as darkness falls the lanterns are lit and the procession makes it's way through the crowd-lined streets of Stony Stratford to the Market
Square in time for the switch on of the Christmas Lights...magical ! !

There will also be the option to purchase a 'make at home' Lantern Kit if people prefer to make their lanterns at home and then join the Lantern Procession on Saturday 26 November. Kits must be collected at one of the designated kit collection sessions - details tbc.
WatlingFest
What's on
Street Market
Car Parking
Funfair
Dancing
Switch-On
Potted History
Photo Gallery

Lantern Making Sessions
are held over two weekends at York House Centre, London Road,

Stony Stratford. MK11 1JQ.

Sat 18 & Sun 19 November          10.00am 'til 4.00pm
Sat 25 & Sun 26 November          10.00am 'til 4.00pm

A cafe runs all day at the York House sessions for hot and cold drinks, snacks and light lunches.

Plenty of Lantern Volunteers will be on-hand to help you make your lantern.

The 2023 Swich-On Day and Procession is on Saturday 2nd December.
Bard's Poem
Getting Involved
Contact Us
Eating and drinking
Main Menu
Booking Your Lantern

We strongly advise that you pre-book your lantern/s as the project sells out every year.

From 01 October a booking form is available on the York House website www.york-house.org.uk

Print out the form, fill in your details and return it to York House Centre with your payment of £7.00
per lantern (cost is per lantern rather than per person taking part) - cheques payable to "York House Centre". Price includes all materials,attendance at the Lantern Making Sessions and entrance into the Procession.

We have to limit the project to 280 lanterns - we can't fit any more into the building - so
make sure you pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Lantern Kits for those who prefer to make their lanterns at home. The kit will include full instructions, materials and a bamboo cane with fixings. You will need to provide your own battery powered fairy lights or torch to light your lantern (for safety reasons as your lantern will not have been checked by the Volunteers) but the kit will include a bamboo cane with fixings so that you can bring your lantern along and join the procession.

Pre-ordered Lantern Kits must be collected from York House at one of the following times:

Sunday 12 November - 2.00pm til 5.00pm (from the Main Hall)
Wednesday 16 November - 5.30pm til 7.15pm (front car park)

It is important that you don’t turn up at York House outside these hours as you won’t be able to collect your kit.

All lanterns are checked thoroughly by our Volunteers to ensure they are safe to
Join in with the Procession which is well supervised by experienced Stewards.

Please note not all dogs like loud and crowded ares.
A BIG thank you to all the Lantern Volunteers; to the Trustees & Staff at York House Centre and to our founders - Milton Keynes Community Foundation,
Stony Stratford Town Council, Stony Stratford Business Association and the York House LoaclGiving.Com Fund.

Join our Facebook Group - Stony Stratford Lantern Project
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