Stony Stratford Lantern Project 2025

Event Information

IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR 2025 - PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE BOOKING!
There have been major changes to the York House workshops this year. We are no longer able to store the lanterns at York House during the project due to the continued deterioration of the storage room to the rear of the building. We have made the difficult decision that the workshops will be for FRAME-MAKING ONLY and papering of all lanterns will have to take place at home (materials will be provided). Cost is £7.50 per lantern (not per person) and this year’s theme is ‘Santa’s Sweet Shop’.

PLEASE NOTE: we will no longer be using candles to light any of the lanterns. You can use your own battery fairy lights (we will have some for sale at the workshops and kit collection sessions - cash only) or you can use a torch. Bean in Stony will be running a café at the Saturday workshops only.

Lantern making options for 2025 are (please choose the correct ticket type as they are non-transferable):
1) Make your lantern frame(s) at York House and then paper at home.
2) Buy a lantern kit and make your lantern(s) at home.
3) Make your lantern frame(s) at a school session, complete the frame(s) at York House and then paper at home.

All Lantern-Makers will join together for the annual Lantern Procession through the streets of Stony Stratford to the Market Square, ready for the switching-on of the Christmas Lights on Saturday 29 November.

York House Frame-Making Workshops – this allows your family to attend any of the York House frame-making sessions which are drop-in from 10am til 4pm on Sat 15 & Sun 16 Nov and Sat 22 & Sun 23 Nov. Volunteers will be on hand to help and advise you with your lantern design. Once you have completed your frame you will be given white tissue, glue, a sponge and instructions along with your choice of coloured tissue paper to take home and paper your lantern. Bamboo canes will be provided at York House on Switch-on Day to carry your lantern.

Make-at Home Lantern Kits – for those who prefer to make their lantern/s fully at home. Lantern Kits include full instructions and materials to make a basic lantern plus a bamboo cane and fixings so that you can bring your lantern along to the Lantern Procession on Saturday 29 November. Don’t forget you will need to add battery-powered fairy lights or a torch as candles are not allowed for safety reasons. You will need to collect your lantern kit/s at one of our designated collection sessions at York House: 4pm til 5pm on Sunday 02 November (main hall), 6pm til 7pm on Wednesday 05 November (front car park) and 2pm til 4pm on Sunday 09 November (front car park). If you want to make a larger/more complicated lantern, you can purchase an additional bundle of withies (willow sticks) for a £2 donation. We will also be selling rolls of masking tape for £1 plus a selection of fairy-lights with batteries (cash only).

After-School Frame-Making Workshops - there will be after school frame-making sessions for the families of children attending Russell Street School and SMSG North, you will need to take your lantern frame home between sessions. To book a school session, look out for a letter in your child's book bag with a unique link. You will also need to attend a workshop at York House (at no extra cost) to finish off your frame and collect your materials to paper at home. NOTE – school tickets are not for a Lantern Kit. Bamboo canes will be provided at York House on Switch-on Day to carry your lantern.

Friends of Stony Lanterns – we realise that some families are struggling financially and may not be able to afford take part. If you feel able to, please donate an additional £5.00 by adding the ‘Friends of Stony Lanterns 2025 – Optional Additional Donation’ ticket type to your basket before you head to the checkout. Donations will be used to provide free lantern making spaces to families in need and also help fund future Lantern Projects.

If you have any questions, please email stonylanterns@gmail.com and join our Facebook group Stony Stratford Lantern Project for the latest project news.hops only.