Dover Light Up Procession

About

Head along to Pencester Gardens in Dover for the annual Winter Light Up Dover event. Taking place on Saturday 5th December, this festival will bring light to the winter months, and offer an enchanting range of activities for visitors and residents to enjoy, with hundreds of lanterns, giant puppets and illuminated artworks.

Light up Dover 2026

Firstly, head along to the Artisan Market in Market Square (10am - 3pm) with the chance to enjoy live music, circus workshops and crafts.

Then head along to Pencester Gardens (3pm - 7.30pm) and visit the Light Up Youth Market, enjoy the entertainment and food village.

Celebratings its fifth year, the Dover Lantern Procession starts from Pencester Gardens at 5.30pm, with hundreds of hand made lanterns illuminating the streets of Dover to the sounds of drums from the local Samba band, returning to the gardens at 6.15pm.

This years parade includes giant wildlife puppets that tell the story of hope, including the Tawny Owl, Greater Eared Bat and Dover Twist Moth amd Woodcock, all of which have recently been returned to the Kent countryside.

The route includes Pencester Road, Biggin Street, Priory Street, the York Street Roundabout, Worthington Street, Cannon Street and Market Square.

Please arrive between 3.30pm - 4.20pm to collect any made lanterns, then head out along the route to bring light to the winter skies.  

Workshop are now open to book at the Charlton Centre, Biggin Hall and St James Shopping Centre.