Take a look at the Erewash Festival of Light programme

Take a look at the Erewash Festival of Light programme

Erewash Festival of Light began in 2006. The annual programme includes free festivals, events and activities marking a range of traditional and culturally diverse celebrations. For our 2019-2020 programme these will be Diwali, Christmas, Winter Solstice and Chinese New Year.
Since it began, over 20 000 people have taken part in creative workshops and public events, making artwork for festivals and displays, or simply coming along to enjoy.

Lanterns, made with community artists, are a feature of the Festival. Our illuminated processions, accompanied by performances of dance, music and singing are a riot of noise and colour for all the family to enjoy. Arts Development are proud to work with schools, community groups, artists, volunteers and the public, who help make the Festival happen each year. We work closely with Erewash Museum, who offer free, museum based education sessions for SEN and primary schools, complimenting the programme.

What’s On

Diwali
Sat 26 Oct Erewash Museum 11am - 3pm 
Join a colourful celebration of family friendly craft and cultural activities. Learn about the story of Diwali and enjoy a traditional dance and music finale, with a chance to take part. Pick up some moves from our classically trained dance artist!

Christmas Lights Switch On 
Thurs 28 Nov 5.30pm - 8.30pm 
Come along to the Long Eaton Christmas Lights Switch On where Dovedale Primary School will process their Christmas lanterns through the town and across the main stage. What magical lantern designs will artist Anna Roebuck help create this year?

Winter Solstice 
Sat 21 Dec 
Lantern making workshops Erewash Museum 12pm - 5pm 
and Victoria Park, Ilkeston 3pm - 5pm, £1.60 per person 5.15pm - 6.30pm 
Join Black Pig Border Morris for a lantern parade from Erewash Museum to Victoria Park.
 
Chinese New Year 
Sat 25 Jan 2020 1.15pm - 5.15pm £1.60 per person 
Rat themed lantern making workshop at Erewash Museum. Join the lantern procession from the Museum at 5.30pm, led by Nottingham Seven Star Lion Dance, up to Ilkeston town hall square for lion dancing, music and storytelling.

Lantern making master class with Avago Arts 
Sat 12 Oct 10am - 3pm 
Erewash Museum Festival of Light lantern making from scratch. Learn how to make an individual willow framed lantern and decorate with your own personal designs.
£5 per person. To book, please call 0115 907 2244.

Limited spaces, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring your own lunch or make use of the Museum’s traditional tea room.

Volunteering opportunities
We are recruiting ‘Event Maker’ volunteers Would you like to be part of a creative team, supporting Arts Development’s community work all year round? If you have some time to offer, we would love to hear from you.


For further details on the Erewash Festival of Light programme, please contact Arts Development:       
artsdev@erewash.gov.uk       
0115 907 2244 ext 4604

For further details on Erewash Museum education sessions:       
erewashmuseum@erewash.gov.uk       
0115 907 1141

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