Reading BID reschedule postponed Lantern Parade for Valentine's
31st January 2025
The postponed Lantern Parade is back! You're going to LOVE it.
Reading Business Improvement District are pleased to announce that GLOW Reading Lantern Parade is back for a third year after being forced to postpone! The parade, organised and funded by Reading BID, had originally been scheduled as part of Reading town centre’s Christmas celebrations in December, but was forced to postpone due to adverse weather conditions. The event has since been adapted to a special Valentine-themed love and light parade on 15 February!
Alongside the new date, there will be more free lantern making workshop opportunities, this time for beautiful heart lanterns, run by Local arts organisation, Jelly, on the day. Drop in lantern repair sessions have also been organised for those who had previously made lanterns for the event in December to make the most of everyone's previous hard work and save on resources.
At 5:30pm on Saturday 15 February, hundreds of glowing lanterns and their makers will be processing down Broad Street, bringing lots of footfall to the town centre. The parade will be accompanied by musicians and glowing giant light installations to create a warm, loved-themed spectacle.
The procession will meet outside the back of Broad Steet Mall at 5pm and will parade along St Mary’s Butts to Broad Street at 5.30pm, heading to Town Hall Square for special musical and visual finale.
Previous events have seen as many as 497 lanterns created by the Reading community up to the day, with around 1200 lantern bearers on the night. This Valentines, Reading's high street with not only be glowing and beautiful, but full of excited couples, friends and families.
Alexa Volker, Reading BID Manager, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing back Reading’s Lantern Parade to the town centre in February, after sadly postponing the event before Christmas. Glow is a magical evening full of light, laughter and love for the whole community and we’re excited to be bringing the magic back to Reading on Valentine’s weekend. Whether people are celebrating with partners, family or friends, this beautifully illuminated parade with live music and a surprise visual finale will be the perfect way to make Valentine’s weekend extra special.”
GLOW will be delivered for Reading BID by Beautiful Creatures. More information here.
