Lantern project 2026
Lantern Project
The Stony Stratford Lantern Project is an exciting community arts project which sees people of all ages joining together at the York House Frame-Making Workshops (and then papering at home) OR buying a Lantern Kit to make their lanterns fully at home. All Lanterners come together 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 LED light.
Anyone can make a lantern (although young 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 battery powered lights.
Every year we have a different theme for the project eg 'Christmas in Toyland' or 'Christmas Under the Sea'.
The 2026 theme is 'Christmas in the Big Top' so let your imaginations run wild and create some colourful, circus-related lanterns!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2026
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we regret that the York House Workshops are not open to wheelchair users this year due to temporary fire escape arrangements
due to building work at York House, the Lantern Procession will leave from HORSEFAIR GREEN. Meet on the green from 3.45pm on Saturday 21 November, the procession will move off at 4.45pm. As darkness falls the lanterns are lit and the procession makes its way through the crowd-lined streets of Stony Stratford to the Market Square in time for the switching on of the Christmas Lights at 5.30pm...magical!
Booking Your Lantern/s
We strongly advise that you pre-book your lantern/s or make at home lantern kits as the project sells out every year.
From 01 October you can book your lantern/s online from the link below:
https://wegottickets.com/f/29061
Cost is £6.00 per lantern (not per person) plus a £0.60 booking fee. Price includes your Make-at-Home Lantern Kit OR attendance at the York House Frame- Making Sessions plus materials and instructions to paper your lantern at home. All ticket types include entrance into the Lantern Procession for your family.
We have to limit the project to 280 lanterns – so make sure you pre-book to avoid disappointment.
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Make-at-Home Lantern Kits
For those who have purchased Lantern Kits online, you will need to collect your kit/s from York House Centre at one of the following collection sessions:
Sunday 25 October – Main Hall – 4pm 'til 5pm
Wednesday 28 October – Front Car Park – 6pm 'til 7pm
Sunday 01 November – Front Car Park – 2pm 'til 4pm
Lantern Kits include instructions and all materials to make a basic sized lantern, plus a bamboo cane and wire fixings so you can join in with the Lantern Procession - you will just need to supply your own battery-powered torch or fairy lights to light it. If you want to make a larger or more complicated lantern, you can purchase additional withies (willow sticks) for a £2 donation per bundle of 20.
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Frame-Making Workshops at York House Centre
All session are drop-in - once you’ve paid for your lantern/s, you don’t need to book for a particular day or time:
Saturday 07 November – 10am til 4pm (AM - Room 2.3 only, PM – Beechey Room and Room 2.3)
Sunday 08 November – 10am til 4pm (Beechey Room and Room 2.3)
Saturday 14 November – 10am til 4pm (Main Hall)
Sunday 15 November – 10am til 4pm (Beechey Room and Room 2.3)
​Online Tickets
Sales for both the York House Workshop Lanterns and Lantern Kits will go live on 01 October from the following link:
https://wegottickets.com/f/29061
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Lantern Procession
All lantern makers to meet at HORSEFAIR GREEN on Saturday 21 November from 3.45pm, the procession will move off at 4.45pm. Mulled cider and refreshments will be available to buy on the green, all profit will help fund future Lantern Projects. ROAD SAFETY – the roads around Horsefair Green will remain open whilst we assemble and will only be closed to let the procession pass. Please closely supervise your children. Access to toilets is at Stony Stratford Community Church. Avoid bringing dogs as it will be very loud and crowded.
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A BIG thank you to all the Lantern Volunteers, the Trustees at York House Centre, Stony Stratford Community Church and to our funders – Stony Stratford Town Council, Stony Stratford Business Association, Friends of Stony Lanterns 2026 and DW Roberts Opticians.
Contact stonylanterns@gmail.com with any questions and join our Facebook group: Stony Stratford Lantern Project for the latest project news.
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