Reading Town Centre
Broad Street Mall to Town Hall Square
14th February 2026
5.30pm until 6.30pm
Bring your loved ones together for a magical Valentines celebration in Reading Town Centre on Saturday 14th February 2026
Watch the streets sparkle as hundreds of hand-crafted willow and paper lanterns drift through the town carried by families, friends and lovers. A heart-warming celebration of the season of love filled with lights, drumming, live music and community spirit.
TAKE PART in one of the many lantern making workshops taking place across Reading IN FEBRUARY and make a beautiful candlelit lantern to bring to the parade
WHAT IS THE PARADE ROUTE?
If you have made a lantern at one of the lantern making workshops please come to the back of the Broad Street Mall (Opposite Blue Collar Food) at 4.45pm/5pm to check and light your candle. Attendees without lantern please join us at 5.30pm.
The parade travels along St Mary’s Butts to Broad Street at 5.30pm heading to Town Hall Square for a musical finale.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE PARADE?
100’s of people from across Reading will be taking part in lantern making workshops throughout February attending together with their beautiful candlelit and heart shaped lanterns.
The parade will be led by a bateria of drummers and large sculptural lanterns finishing in Town Hall Square for a musical finale with musician Lily Beck.
The parade will move at a slow walking pace is suitable for all ages and an accessible viewing area will be available in Town Hall Square
Reading Lantern Parade is brought to you by Reading Improvement Districts representing business in the town centre through REDA, Beautiful Creatures Theatre and Jelly. The event is supported by Reading Borough Council, Reading Buses, The Broad Street Mall.
