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Families are being invited to get creative ahead of a much-loved Leamington event which lights up the town to welcome in the festive season.

Leamington’s 13th annual Lantern Parade is set to be held on December 3 and will see hundreds of residents and visitors parade homemade paper lanterns through the town in a dazzling display.

This year’s event has an optional magical creatures theme, and six free lantern frame-making workshops are being held where people can get inspiration and craft their creations.

Preparing for lantern making from left to right: Carole Sleight, of Whittle Productions; Stephanie Kerr, of BID Leamington; Ali Mckellar, of Sambassadors of Groove; Nicci Selby, one of the workshop facilitators; David Howells, of Art Friends Warwickshire and artist Diana Fallowes.

The workshops, starting this weekend, will be held from 11am to 3pm on October 29, November 1, November 5, November 11, November 19 and November 25 in the former Top Man unit in the Lower Mall of Royal Priors Shopping Centre.

Workshops will be run on a first-come, first-served basis, and participants should allow one to two hours to make a frame, which can then be finished at home.

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The Lantern Parade is inspired by The Lights of Leamington event, which lit up Jephson Gardens from 1951 to 1961.

It is organised by BID Leamington with the support of local businesses, and this year Whittle Productions, a local Community Interest Company (CIC), will also be supporting the delivery of the event.

The lantern frame-making workshops are being sponsored by Art Friends Warwickshire, a not-for-profit organisation which supports the development of artistic skills in the town.

Stephanie Kerr, BID’s executive director, said: “The Lantern Parade is a beautiful event that families look forward to every year.

“We absolutely love seeing the creations that are made and we know we are going to see something special this year.

“We are delighted to be hosting the workshops in the Royal Priors ahead of this year’s event, which will not only feature our spectacular parade, but will also welcome some new entertainment.

“As always, we wish to thank our supporters – the local businesses, sponsors, artists and volunteers who make this possible.”

Carole Sleight, of Whittle Productions, added: “We are excited to welcome everyone to six exciting ‘Magical Creatures’ lantern-making workshops and can’t wait to see what creatures emerge from these artist-led making sessions.”

For those making their creations at home, lantern-making packs can also be purchased from the BID Leamington offices in Park Street from Monday to Friday.

For more information, including how to build a lantern, visit www.leamingtonlanternparade.co.uk

Build lanterns ahead of dazzling festive parade in Leamington

Carole Sleight, of Whittle Productions, added: “We are excited to welcome everyone to six exciting ‘Magical Creatures’ lantern-making workshops and can’t wait to see what creatures emerge from these artist-led making sessions.”