Ulverston Lantern Festival Draws 7,000 For River Of Light Parade.
Around 7,000 spectators gathered in Ulverston as the town once again came alive with colour and light for its annual Lantern Festival.
This year’s event took place on Saturday, September 19, with the theme “Dusk and Dawn” bringing together residents, families, community groups and visitors for an evening of creativity and celebration. More than 700 handmade lanterns featured in the procession, with designs ranging from giant owls, bats and foxes to a Cinderella-style fairy-tale coach, haunted houses, UFOs, moons and stars.
The evening began with four separate processions setting off from different locations around the town from around 7pm. The groups then made their way towards County Square, where they came together at approximately 8pm to create the festival’s spectacular River of Light.
The River of Light then continued towards Ford Park, where the evening concluded with a fireworks finale at around 9pm. The organisers describe the event as a community-led celebration that has become an important part of Ulverston’s annual calendar.
The festival relies heavily on volunteers, with organisers encouraging more local people to become involved to help secure the event’s future. It is also self-funding, with income coming largely from lantern kit sales and donations from spectators.
Organisers say around £10,000 is required each year to stage the festival. Support from local organisations and businesses also contributes to the event, helping maintain the free public celebration. The scale of this year’s turnout highlighted the continuing popularity of the festival, while the hundreds of handmade lanterns demonstrated the creativity of local residents and community groups.
For many visitors, the event offered more than a traditional parade. It brought people together across the town for an evening of community spirit, music, handmade art and entertainment, creating a striking River of Light through Ulverston’s streets.
With thousands turning out for the 2026 celebration, the Ulverston Lantern Festival once again provided a memorable night for the local community while continuing its long-running tradition of bringing light and creativity to the town.
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