Tameside's flagship Christmas Lantern Parade will be held in Ashton this year as part of the council's programme of cultural events.

The annual event was last held in Ashton five years ago and has since toured around the borough, being held in Denton, Stalybridge and Hyde.

The popular event will return to Ashton this year on Saturday 19 November, before going on to be held in the other three towns in turn again.

The towns have been selected as they have the sufficient space to host such a large scale event and safe and secure routes for the lantern parade to take place, which have now all been previously and successfully tested.

The Civic Events Report 2022 also lists the dates for the other town centre Christmas celebrations, which are led by the community and supported by the council:

• Audenshaw on 25 November 2022

• Stalybridge on 25 November 2022

• Dukinfield on 25 November 2022

• Denton on 26 November 2022

• Mossley on 26 November 2022

• Hyde on 26 November 2022

• Droylsden on 3 December 2022

• Hattersley on 3 December 2022

Other events supported in the programme include Armed Forces Day, Summer Theatre, Summer Reading Challenge, Tameside Heritage Month in September and Remembrance Day services and parades.

The latest full council meeting also agreed £40,000 for enhanced festive lighting in Ashton and Hyde town centres to support businesses and boost civic pride.

Local businesses are being encouraged to support events, including the lantern parade and to find out more you can email events@tameside.gov.uk 

Tameside Council Assistant Executive Member Culture, Heritage & Digital inclusivity Cllr Sangita Patel said: “I’m delighted that, despite continued strains on council finances, we can once again support a vibrant and safe programme of events, which are mostly all free for people to attend and are widely enjoyed.

“Our key civic events such as Whit Friday Brass Band Contest, Armed Forces Day, Christmas Lantern Parade and the borough’s Christmas celebrations are all welcomed and supported by residents and help to celebrate a sense of community, wellbeing and pride in our borough while also supporting our town centres and working with local businesses.

“The programme also supports events of national and local significance such as the Jubilee and Pride.

“Additionally, our cultural services teams deliver and support a diverse and engaging programme of cultural activities across the borough throughout the year in museums, local studies, libraries, community venues, outdoors in our parks and town centres - often in partnership with other external and internal partners - to provide high quality opportunities for Tameside residents.”

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper