FREE TO ATTEND – Friday 5 December 17:00 – 20:00
FREE parking in Lower & Upper St Thomas’ carparks and Co-op carpark from 16:00 – 21:00
New Carnival, in partnership with Ryde Town Council and with funding from Arts Council England, is delighted to announce the return of Merry and Bright: Festival of Light on Friday 5th December 2024, 5:00–8:00pm. Now in its 5th year, the event includes more indoor venues and Ryde’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Enjoy an evening of music, entertainment, performance, family crafts and Father Christmas’s grotto. Try dancing with the New Carnival troupe or circus skills with Alicia the Arts and Wild Woods. Audience favourites Huxley Magic, 432 Nomads Collective, Vectis Brass, Abbey Brass, Double Take, Jimi Cameron and Rowdy Carols all return to spread festive cheer.
The heart of the event is the Lantern Parade (6:00–7:00pm), filling Ryde’s streets with glowing lanterns this year with a theme of “Yule”, reflecting New Carnival’s Folk theme for 2025–26. Taking part are St Helen’s Primary, Binstead Primary, Wootton Primary, Ryde School Pre-Prep, Shademakers, and the Ryde, Ventnor, Sandown, East Cowes and Newport Carnival Associations with their royalty floats. RAW Samba and other performers will bring rhythm and celebration. The parade starts at Dover Street, before travelling via Park Street, Star Street, the High Street and Union Street to Western Gardens.
Aspire will be open for festive refreshments and showcasing the incredible talents of their young ‘Aspire Creative Hub’ musicians and singers, and joined by some of the 432 Nomads Collective from Portsmouth
Explore New Carnival’s illuminated sculptures in Vernon Square Gardens, including a cosy Dark Skies quiet area, with festive refreshments from Vernon Square Conservation Society. St Thomas’s Rest Garden will shine with the colourful, interactive Neon Garden, enhanced this year by Newport Youth (The Port) and the Munsoon Collective.
St Thomas’ Church (Network Ryde) will host music, circus and dance on the main stage. The former NatWest bank becomes the Creation Station with face painting, tattoos, crafts, gift-making, wishing tree and visits to Father Christmas Grotto (£3per child).
The Royal Victoria Arcade will host a festive craft market, while local businesses join in with late-night shopping, including Liz Earle, Duxmore Botanics, Her Whey, Essence Crystal Boutique, Café 64, French Franks, Pickle and Dill, Dotty, Crepe Lovers, The Christmas Imaginarium, Soy wax candles, A Higher Ground, the Kandy Box, Sarakasi and The Fantastic Store. The Bus museums vintage bus will be out as an additional performance space, and The Department will be open.
A fiery finale from Wild Woods in St Thomas Square will close the night.