‘Colourful’ lantern festival to take place in Eastbourne over half term

The Eastbourne Jubilee Lantern Festival is on from February 14–20 at the Pavilion Gardens.

Entry to the event is free and has been set up to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

Children will be able to create their own paper lantern in a 30-minute workshop, or they can create their own artistic patches to add to the giant community lantern installations which will appear in the gardens.

The new event will see the seafront gardens welcome an array of handcrafted lanterns and flags, displayed in a static LED-lit light trail throughout the gardens each afternoon and evening.

The lanterns, ranging from colourful creatures to royal displays to celebrate the Jubilee year, will be provided by Samesky - a charity behind many of the creative lanterns found at winter light events across the county.

Eastbourne Borough Council lead member for tourism and culture Margaret Bannister said, “What a brilliant way to add some magic this half term and let the kids run around the gardens and enjoy some creative fun.

“We’re delighted to be kicking off our Jubilee year with this fantastic new family event.”

The free festival is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, via the government’s Welcome Back Fund – which was designed to encourage people to visit destinations following the pandemic.

In addition to the static lantern displays, there will also be live music in the gardens and Pavilion café at key times throughout the festival, along with food and hot drinks

The event runs from 1pm–8pm each day while the free workshops will take place from Tuesday–Saturday, every 30 minutes, from 2pm-4pm.

Workshops will consist of either lantern making or the creation of pieces for the community art installations.

The exact activity will be confirmed on the day.

The council said workshop places are limited and are pre-bookable at VisitEastbourneTickets.co.uk or by telephoning 01323 410611.