Liverpool’s Sefton Park will play host to not one, but TWO Halloween Lantern Parades on Sunday 28th October as the Lantern Company double the amount of mysterious and magical goings-on at the much-anticipated Halloween Lantern Carnival.
The first parade will begin at 5.30pm, much to the delight of those with young children who can see the mesmerising Giant Dreamer before heading home for sweet dreams of their own. The second parade will begin at 7.30pm. Both parades culminate with an extraordinary event that brings the giant’s dreams to life.
The Lantern Company’s Artistic Director, Jo Pocock said: “As a parent I know how late nights and crowds can sometimes be difficult for families with small children, and we wanted to make sure no one missed out on the festivities, so with that in mind, this year we are holding an early parade, and a later one, which will allow all ages to experience the carnival and the big finale at the end of each parade. The fun of Halloween is a cherished part of child hood, and we hope the Lantern Carnival can make that extra-special in Liverpool.”
Bigger and better than ever, visitors can expect to see the giant floating Dreamer as she falls asleep, and take a peek at the dreams inside her sleeping head, courtesy of French masters of the surreal, Delirium Lumens. Music will also play a big part in the event, with musical direction from Kneehigh Theatre’s Stu Barker and a newly announced appearance from Newcastle’s Baghdaddies with their rousing and infectious Balkan beats and blistering brass.
Hundreds of people from all over Liverpool will also take centre stage as they carry their hand-made lanterns in the annual Lantern Parade in a dazzling display of creativity and community spirit.
Extraordinary dreamscapes, talking stags, dancing wolves and things that go bump in the night will light up the dark around the park. If you feel sleepy, you can even slip into bed yourself and have your own dreams or nightmares revealed! Every sense will be stimulated with a field of floating fire flowers, huge illuminated megaliths, a gaggle of gamblers, dream doctors, diviners and fortune tellers.
Places on the lantern making workshops have been in high demand, with many workshops now booked out, but please check the website for availability as there is a few places left.
Liverpool’s Lantern Company is now in its 10th year, and has earned an excellent reputation for creating stunning works of art that not only mesmerise onlookers, but are of outstanding artistic quality. Its work with the community and an artist-led ethos is at the heart of the company. The Lantern Company have worked extensively in Liverpool as well as gaining a national reputation for its work, including the River of Light Parade in Durham’s Lumiere Festival and creating fabulous dragons for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre production of Dr.Faustus.
Please see : www.lanterncompany.co.uk for more details. The event map with parade route and recommended viewing areas is available on the website
The Lantern Company’s Halloween Lantern carnival is funded by Liverpool City Council and Arts Council England.
