Lantern Making Workshop for Reading Lantern Parade at Jelly

Jelly are delighted to be running lantern making workshops again at our studios in the Broad Street Mall, we’re on level 1 by the car park entrance. 

Make a lantern so you can GLOW with us on Saturday December 7th and join Reading’s lantern parade. Bring your loved ones together for a magical winter lantern procession on Saturday 7th December. Join the parade and walk together in candlelight to Town Hall Square for a magical musical finale.

Spaces are limited and we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.

Workshop dates

• Saturday 9th November
• Saturday 16th November

Workshops are at various times during each date - choose from the available date/time when you click the "book now" 

Each lantern workshop will be supported by professional artists who will show you how to make your lantern and provide information on where to come on the day of the parade.

Suitable for all ages

One ticket permits 2 people to make a lantern. An adult is required to help young people throughout.

If you are coming as a family please note that every young person will need to be accompanied by an adult. If you want to make more than 1 lantern you will need to book another time slot.

For example:

If you are a family of 2 adults and 2 Children (under 16 years) you need to book 2 tickets and you will make 2 lanterns.

If you are 1 adult and 2 children (under 16 years) we recommend you make 1 lantern as children are not permitted to hold lanterns in the parade.

If you are 1 adult and 3 children (under 16 years) we recommend you make 1 lantern as children are not permitted to hold lanterns in the parade.

You will be taking the lanterns home with you so please bring your own large bin bag or suitable carrier as they will still be wet. (Also see below for Frequently Asked Questions)

Please note that this workshop is taking place within our studio space in Broad St Mall. We are located on the 1st Floor and the last unit before the public toilets and car park.

In the run up to the lantern parade on Saturday 2 December, lantern making workshops will be held across Reading so that everybody has the opportunity to come along and make their own beautiful willow and paper lantern for the parade.

Frequently asked Questions about the lantern workshop:

How many lanterns will I make in the workshop?

You will make 1 lantern. Space is limited as we are working in a workshop space. 1 x ticket allows for 1 young person and adult to make 1 lantern between them. If you want to make more than 1 lantern you will need to book another time slot. Each young person will need to have an adult with them at all times to help make a lantern.

For example: If 2 children want to make a lantern you will need to book 2 time slots and an adult will be required to help in both time slots.

If you are an adult attending solo to make a lantern for yourself, we recommend bringing a friend.

This workshop is FREE but all participants will need to pay a non refundable £2 booking fee to confirm their ticket.

How big are the lanterns?

They are 45cm x 45cm square by 75cm tall.

Can I leave my lantern with you while it dries or do my Christmas Shopping?

No. You will need to take all lanterns with you at the end of the workshop. We do not have any storage for drying lanterns. They will be wet with glue. We recommend that you bring a bin bag.

Our free community workshops and festival workshops are often made possible due to funding by the organisers. These workshops are popular and run at capacity.

If I cannot make my workshop, what should I do?

Please tell us if you are unable to make your time slot and return your ticket. This allows us to pass on your ticket to our waiting list. Note we are unable to offer refunds.

What if I am late?

We will be unable to accommodate late arrivals. The events work at capacity. We will do our best to find you a later slot in the day but cannot guarantee a space.

When is the parade?

The parade will take place on Saturday 2 December at 5pm. At the workshop you will be given a flyer with full details on how to take part and where to meet.

More about the parade:

READING LANTERN PARADE - GLOW

Reading Town Centre

Broad Street Mall to Town Hall Square

7th December 2024

5pm until 6.30pm

Bring your loved ones together for a magical winter lantern procession on Saturday 7 December

Walk together in candlelight and follow the drummers to Town Hall Square for a magical musical finale.

A heart-warming celebration of the festive season filled with lights, music and community spirit.

ACCESS

The parade will move at a slow walking pace and accessible viewing areas will be available.

Reading Lantern Parade is brought to you by Reading Improvement Districts representing business in the town centre through REDA, Beautiful Creatures Theatre, Jelly and AV Events. The event is supported by Reading Borough Council, Reading Buses, 101 Outdoor Arts, The Broad Street Mall, Black & White Music Ltd.

Our workshops and events are subsidised and in most cases we are able to offer our workshops for a nominal fee. If you are able we have an option to donate. All donations help us to continue our work to make space for art for everyone every day.

By attending this workshop you are agreeing to act in accordance with our workshop behaviour policy which can be viewed here: https://www.jelly.org.uk/policies

Find us in our next space on the 1st Floor in Broad St Mall. We are the last unit nearest the public toilets.

Inclusivity, safety, respect, confidentiality and consent are fundamental principles at Jelly workshops and events.