Tameside's winter lantern parade will be back this year, to bring people together and brighten up the dark end-of-year skies in one big festival of lights.

Two years after a successful event in Stalybridge which attracted thousands of people, the parade is moving to Hyde, where it will take place in the town centre on Saturday 20 November, setting off at 6.15pm.

Managed and co-ordinated by Tameside Cultural Services, it will be produced by carnival arts organisation Handmade Parade with support from community groups and schools. Whilst local artists, community groups and schools will help animate Hyde Civic Square.

Any dance troupes, bands or community groups that would like to take part are invited to email events@tameside.gov.uk 

There will also be opportunities for families and individuals to get involved in lantern making workshops at Hyde Town Hall and other locations around Hyde. To find out the latest information about the parade, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/northernlights

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s executive member with responsibility for culture, said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to bring back our winter lantern parade, and I want to see as many people as possible get involved in what will be a very special night not just for Hyde, but for the entire borough.

“After two very difficult years the parade offers a chance for everyone in the Tameside community to enjoy some fun while at the same time offering a chance for them to reflect on all the things that have happened, and to focus on their hopes for the future.

“It promises to be a wonderful event and I’m sure the civic square will look spectacular and atmospheric as the light from hundreds of lanterns twinkles brightly against the dark November night.”

Seasonal celebrations and community and businesses-led Christmas events have also been planned in Tameside’s other towns for later in November and December.

These are:

Friday 26 November

Audenshaw: Entertainment, food stalls, funfair and Santa’s grotto. 4 to 7pm at Ryecroft Hall with Christmas lights switch-on at 7pm.

Dukinfield: Entertainment with funfair with an appearance from Father Christmas at the town hall, 5.30-6.35pm.

Micklehurst: Entertainment, lights switch-on, mystical creatures and an appearance from Father Christmas. Junction of Micklehurst Road and Station Road, 6 to 7pm.

Stalybridge: Father Christmas, fairground rides and festive singing and dancing in Armentieres Square, 4pm to 6pm. Lights switch-on at 6pm.

Saturday 27 November

Ashton: Festive artisan market, brass band and Christmas-themed entertainment. Market Place, 9am to 4pm.

Denton: Festive shopping in the town centre. The Mayor and Father Christmas will switch on the lights at 6pm.

Droylsden: Festive market, Father Christmas, entertainment and lights switch-on, 1 to 5pm in town centre.

Mossley: Music, mystical creatures and family fun on the market ground. Bring your own lantern. 5 to 8.30pm with lights switch-on at 7.30pm.

Sunday 28 November

Denton: Christmas fair and fireworks in Denton town centre, 5pm.

Friday 3 December

Hattersley: Christmas market and fairground rides at Hattersley. Hub, 4pm to 6pm. Lights switch-on at 6pm.

Saturday 4 December

Hollingworth: Father Christmas, lantern procession and Christmas tree lights switch-on. Treacle Gardens, Market Street, 3.30 to 4pm.

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