Make a lantern for DOCA Winter Festival 2025
Lantern making workshops
We hold a number of Lantern making workshops in the run up to the Winter Festival Lantern Parade, including open-to-all workshops at different venues with materials provided – all we ask is a small donation. We suggest £5 for a small lantern which requires one light, but you are welcome to pay as you feel.
Public workshops
Come along to one of our open public workshops to make a lantern in preparation for the parade. All materials are provided and all are welcome.
Workshop Schedule
Held at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street:
Saturday 20th September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30
Sunday 21st September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30
Sunday 26th October – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30
Saturday 15th November – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30
Held at The Southgate Inn
Sunday 2nd November – 2pm – 4.30pm
Thursday 6th November 6pm – 8.30pm
BOOK HERE!If you are unable to make our workshops but want to take part in the parade, are DIY Lantern Making Kits – we will provide you with the materials and instructions to make a lantern.
Workshops in schools and community groups
Each year we also work with local schools and community groups to help them to put on their own workshops.
If your school or group would like to take part in making lanterns and would like our support, please fill out this form and we will be in touch to discuss setting up a workshop. We ask that you can guarantee a minimum of 10 people, and we ask for a donation towards materials, which we subsidise.
If you are a community group, send us an email here and we can arrange a session for you:
What we offer
If you are new to Lantern workshops we can come and assist with a basic workshop, allowing you and your students to make a basic pyramid and diamond shape lantern, which is beautifully simple and effective.
But we know some of you are quite expert in your lantern making now so want to offer something that is tailored to your needs. So, we are also offering:
Facilitated Lantern Workshop – DOCA volunteers will lead a workshop at your school (teachers and/or parents will need to be present to support)
Materials only – DOCA will supply materials for you to lead your own workshop
Self-organised workshops – you will source your own materials, and lead your own workshops. You will need to let DOCA know that you plan to join the parade
The facilitated workshop will be approximately two hours and we will need half an hour before and after the session to set up and clear up.