This January, Left Bank is brightening up the winter nights with a series of lantern-making workshops for all ages. Throughout the month, you’re invited to drop in, warm up, and get creative with us. We’ll be running both willow lantern workshops and family-friendly after-school sessions, perfect for anyone who wants to try something hands-on, artistic, and cosy during the colder weeks of the year. Family sessions are offered on a free / pay-what-you-feel basis, we are asking for a small contribution for willow making workshops to help cover costs of materials —everyone is welcome.
All of these workshops will lead up to a very special community celebration: a Wassailing event, hosted by the Friends of Burley Park at the end of January. You can expect music, dancing, and a community-led lantern parade through Burley Park.
This is where your beautiful handmade lanterns come in! Bring your lantern along and join in the parade, helping to fill the park with light, colour, and creativity.
Event details:
Burley Park
Saturday 31st January
What time? Please arrive at 16:15 (just before dark!)
Make sure you bring along your lantern & wrap up warm for a parade of singing and dancing through the orchards!
Workshop Details:
Weekly Tuesday After School Club for families!
What is Wassailing?
Wassailing is an ancient Anglo-Saxon tradition centred on blessing orchards to encourage a healthy, abundant harvest in the year ahead. Traditionally held on Twelfth Night, it’s a lively ritual of song, drumming, dancing, and joyful noise-making—all meant to “wake up” the trees and chase away any lingering spirits of winter. Today, wassails are celebrated between late December and February in communities across the UK, offering a warm and spirited way to come together during the darkest time of the year.
Join us this January to craft something beautiful, learn about this age-old tradition, and take part in a glowing lantern procession that will help bring light and life to Burley Park’s winter landscape.