Light up the autumn evening as the much-loved Lister Park Lantern Parade returns for a spectacular celebration of community, creativity and life.
Begin the day at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery by making your own colourful lantern during one of four bookable workshops. Each hour-long session is suitable for all ages and costs £6 per lantern. Places are limited, so advance booking is essential.
Buy Tickets from Cecil Green Arts
From 4.30pm, enjoy entertainment outside Cartwright Hall before the lantern parade sets off at 5.30pm. Hundreds of handmade lanterns will illuminate Lister Park alongside spectacular giant puppets, community groups, schools and live music from the Peace Artistes, Banda na Rua and Drum Machine.
The parade will make its way through the park before ending with a theatrical finale at the Bandstand at approximately 6.30pm. This year’s theme is Celebration of Life, forming part of the Festivals of the Dead project created in collaboration with Cecil Green Arts, the University of Bradford and Bradford Death Cafes.
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery will remain open until 7pm, offering an opportunity to explore the displays and permanent galleries, visit the gallery shop and meet museum volunteers and young ambassadors.
A quiet sensory space will be available in the Learning Room inside Cartwright Hall Art Gallery for anyone who would benefit from experiencing the event in a different way. Tea, coffee and cake will be available to purchase from the Refreshment Room, with additional food vans located in the park.
Visitors are encouraged to travel car-free where possible by walking, cycling or using public transport. Lister Park also has a bike hub for Beryl and LNER Bikes.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Monday Closed (check Social Media for Bank Holiday openings)
Tuesday – Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday – Sunday 11am to 4pm
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery is in the middle of Lister Park, one and a half miles from the City Centre on the A650 Manningham Lane. There is limited parking in Lister Park, accessible from North Park Road (off Oak Lane). Lister Park is served by many city centre bus services including 23, 25, 26, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 622, 647, 662, w5. Cartwright Hall is about ten minutes’ uphill walk from Frizinghall railway station.
For help in planning your journey by public transport, please visit www.wymetro.com.
5 December 2026 1:00 pm – 5 December 2026 3:00 pm
5 December 2026 – 21 February 2027
26 September 2026 11:00 am – 26 September 2026 2:00 pm
27 February 2027 10:00 am – 27 February 2027 4:00 pm
