Starlight Lantern Procession

(Date of issue: Monday, 29 November 2010)

Local residents are being given the opportunity to light-up Carlisle this Christmas on Thursday, 9 December 2010, as part of a new City Council event.

A Starlight Lantern Procession is set to be one of the highlights of Carlisle’s festive programme. The free community event will include a procession into the city centre, meeting at Devonshire Walk car park, next to Carlisle Castle, at 5.45pm.

The procession will be led by three wise men on camels and a Christmas Carnival band. Street entertainment, including a steel band and a Christmas carol sing-a-long, will then continue in the city centre and will finish around 7.30pm.

It is hoped that there will be a spectacular display of lanterns in the procession and local residents are being given the opportunity to make their own and bring them along on the night. A series of lantern-making workshops were arranged by Carlisle City Council to help groups, families and individuals join in and take part.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

Carlisle’s popular International Christmas Market is set to return this Christmas. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2010 Market will be held between Wednesday, 1 December and Sunday, 5 December. Staged within the city centre’s pedestrianised shopping area, the event will include around 50 stalls from around the World. Shoppers will be able to sample culinary and hand crafted goods from as far a field as South Africa, India, China and many European countries.

Santa is making a visit to Carlisle’s Talkin Tarn this Christmas. A Green Grotto will be open in the Alex Boathouse on Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 December, Saturday 11 - Sunday 12 December and Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 December, between 11am and 3pm each day. As well as meeting Santa and receiving a small gift, there will also be the chance for local children to post their letter to Lapland. Entry is £2.95 per child. 

Tullie House Museum has a packed programme of activities this festive season. A Christmas Fun Day will be held on Saturday, 11 December and will include free fun workshops, for all the family to enjoy.