Hexham Lantern Parade Exhibition
6 October - 22 November
A Celebration of Light and Community
This exhibition is a chance to see the giant lanterns up close and look back at previous parades, as we get ready to bring the parade back in 2026.
Hexham Lantern Parade
For the past four years, Hexham Lantern Parade has brought people together after dark to celebrate community, music, and light.
While the parade takes a break in 2025, we're looking back at the joy of previous events...
To bring the parade back to Hexham in 2026, we need to secure funding or sponsorship. If you're interested in having a conversation about helping, email Helen Mills, Audience and Sales Manager.
A look back over the years...
In 2024, Hexham Lantern Parade took place for the fourth year running!
For the first time, members of Gateway into the Community worked with artists Deni Riach and Ruth Thompson to create a giant train lantern to lead the parade.
Presented by our friends at Curious Arts, Groove and Glow kicked-off proceedings with timeless disco hits. After parading through Hexham, the vibrant, “glowing disco on wheels” led people to the Shambles inviting everyone to join in, dance, and light-up the night!
Photos by Bob Turner
In 2023, NuSound Brass brought their joyful sounds of New Orleans to Hexham.
After parading through town, the band plugged themselves in under the Shambles for a scintillating set of glorious, amplified funkiness enjoyed by over 800 people.
Here's a look back at the first Hexham Lantern Parade in 2021 where the community came together with their lanterns and The Baghdaddies entertained the crowds. The band later returned due to popular demand for the 2022 event!
Pupils from Hexham First School and The Sele First School worked with artists Deni Riach and Alan Scully to create giant dragon and dragonfly lanterns to lead past parades.
"The lantern project was an invaluable experience for the children at Sele First. Not only did they have the unique opportunity to work with industry artists, they could also take part in the parade, carrying the lantern through Hexham in what was a memorable community event."
"Being part of the incredible lantern parade through Hexham was a magical opportunity for our children to shine, grow in confidence and show off their spectacular illuminated dragon. A huge thank you to the Queens Hall and artist Deni Riach for providing this opportunity ."
The 2024 Hexham Lantern Parade was presented by the Hexham Culture Network, led by Queen’s Hall Arts and Hexham Community Partnership with the support of the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
It was first created as part of Hexham’s High Street Heritage Action Zone, which helped fund the first two years of the event.
