Join us for Reading's Lantern Parade this Valentine's!

20th January 2025

Reading Lantern Parade, GLOW, is bringing the love to Reading this Valentine’s weekend!

Reading’s much-loved Lantern Parade, GLOW, will be returning to Reading town centre for its third year on Valentine’s weekend.

The lantern parade, organised by Reading Business Improvement District, 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. This February, the magical event will return to the town centre, lighting up Broad Street with a special Valentine-themed love and light parade.

At 5:30pm on Saturday 15 February, hundreds of glowing lanterns and their makers will be processing down Broad Street, accompanied by musicians and glowing giant light installations to create a warm, loved-themed spectacle in Reading town centre as part of Valentine’s weekend celebrations.

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.

Ahead of the parade, there will be an additional workshop for people wishing to make a lantern to join the procession. Head to Broad Street Mall between 3-5pm and make your own beautiful paper and willow lantern to join in the parade. The session is free to attend, but slots must be pre-booked here.

Those who made lanterns for the postponed December event are encouraged to bring them along to the parade. Local arts organisation, Jelly, will also be running two special lantern repair workshops for any damaged lanterns made ahead of the February parade. Pop along to Jelly (Broad Street Mall) with your lantern to either of the following free sessions:

· Sunday 26 January, 10.30am - 12.30pm

· Wednesday 5 February 12 – 2pm

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.