Lister Park Lantern Parade
Friday, 30 October 2026 · from 4:30pm
📍 BradfordLister Park
Light up the autumn evening as the much-loved Lister Park Lantern Parade returns for a spectacular celebration of community, creativity and life.
What’s free
Entry to the event (some parts may cost)
About this event
Light up the autumn evening as the much-loved Lister Park Lantern Parade returns for a spectacular celebration of community, creativity and life. Start the day at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery , where you can create your own colourful lantern during one of four lantern-making workshops. Suitable for all ages, each hour-long session costs £6 per lantern , with all materials, lights and artist support provided. Places are limited, so advance booking is essential. Lantern-making workshops Session 1: 10:00–11:00 Session 2: 11:30–12:30 Session 3: 13:00–14:00 Session 4: 14:30–15:30 Buy Tickets from Cecil Green Arts Then, as daylight fades, get ready to see Lister Park come alive with light. Entertainment begins outside Cartwright Hall at 16:30 , before the lantern parade sets off at 17:30 . Hundreds of handmade lanterns will illuminate the park alongside spectacular giant puppets, community groups and schools, accompanied by live music from the Peace Artistes, Banda na Rua and Drum Machine . The procession will make its way through Lister Park before reaching the Bandstand for a theatrical finale at approximately 18:30 . This year's theme, Celebration of Life , forms part of the Festivals of the Dead project, created in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, the University of Bradford and Bradford Death Cafes . Cartwright Hall will stay open until 19:00, giving you the chance to explore the displays and permanent galleries, browse the gallery shop and meet museum volunteers and young ambassadors. Food, access and travel A quiet sensory space will be available in the Learning Room inside Cartwright Hall for anyone who would benefit from experiencing the event in a different way. Tea, coffee and cake will be available to buy from the Refreshment Room, with additional food vans in the park. Visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where possible . Lister Park also has a bike hub for Beryl and LNER Bikes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The parade is free to attend. Lantern-making workshops are suitable for all ages and cost £6 per lantern. Capacity is limited and advance booking is essential.
Before you go
Booking needed: it’s free, but places are limited.