Monmouth’s Christmas Parade will be slightly different this year – the town council are introducing lanterns!

Groups and organisations from around Monmouth will be making lanterns and joining the procession, and they are sharing information on how to make lanterns at home.

At 6pm on Friday, 8th December, the community are invited to congregate around the Monnow Bridge for carol singing.

At 6.30pm Father Christmas will come across the bridge on his sleigh and lead the lantern procession up to the Shire Hall.

At the Shire Hall there will be performances by schools and community groups and Father Christmas will hand out gifts from his sleigh.

It is planned that there will be various stalls and activities, along with some late night shopping opportunities.

In the run up to the parade, ‘group leader’ workshops will be held, to teach leaders of local community groups to produce willow lanterns.

The group leaders will be provided with full written instructions and enough materials to enable their groups to make lanterns. If you run a community group in or near Monmouth and would be interested in taking part, please contact Councillor Jess Stephens on [email protected].

The event has a Facebook page; ‘Monmouth Christmas Lantern Parade’ where guidance on various types of lanterns that can be made is available.

There will be some alternatives available on the night.