Space themed lantern festival to wind through Sheffield streets

Shiregreen lantern parade in 2016. Photo by Paul David Drabble.

The walk on Sunday will wind through the streets of Shiregreen as people hold up lanterns shaped like stars, spaceships and planets.

There will also be music from the Sheffield University samba band, and free hot food and drinks.

In preparation for the parade people have been busy making willow lanterns.

Sanctuary Housing’s neighbourhood manager for Shiregreen, Melanie King, said: “It’s fantastic to see how the whole community has come together to light up the streets of Shiregreen.

“The festival itself is set to be an amazing event and I’d encourage all local residents to come along.”

It builds on the lantern festivals which took place in 2016 and 2017, which brought hundreds of people to the streets of Shiregreen.

One of the children with their handmade lantern spaceship

The route will go along several roads and people are encouraged to join in at anytime. The route includes Sicey Avenue, Sicey Lane, Nether Shire Lane, Hartley Brook Road, Molyneux Road, Kinnaird Road, Follett Road and Kinnaird Plance.

There will also be lantern making workshops on Thursday, January 24 at Shiregreen Neighbourhood Centre from 3-5pm on and on Sunday, January 27, at Shiregreen Community Centre, from 2.30-4.30pm.

The event will start at 4.30pm for a 5pm start on Sunday, January 27 at Shiregreen Community Centre.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a steward can contact Melanie King on 0800 131 3348.