The streets of Douglas and Port St Mary will be lit up this festive season when Lantern Parades take place in both towns. The annual lantern parades are always very popular events and the Arts Office of the Department of Community Culture & Leisure offers free lantern-making workshops for the local communities so that anyone can attend to learn how to make their own lantern for the parades. Emma Callin, Development Manager – Culture and Arts for the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure said “People of any age can attend the workshops to make a lantern, although children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Lanterns can be any shape and size and previous creations have been very imaginative and inventive from snowmen to fairies to spaceships, the sky’s the limit.” For those who have never made a willow lantern before there will be plenty of help at the workshops to show you how. People should come prepared to get messy, although aprons can be provided. The workshops in Douglas will take place over the weekends of 12th/13th and 19th/20th November at the Youth Arts Centre in Kensington Road. The parade in Douglas on Thursday 24th November meets in Nelson Street at 6.45pm and follows the switching on of the Christmas lights by Douglas Corporation. The Parade ends in the Villa Marina Gardens with Carol Singing to the Manx Youth Band, and as an exciting addition to the Parade this year there will be mulled wine and mince pies and a Wurlitzer concert in the Arcade afterwards. Workshops in Port St Mary will be over the weekends of 10th /11th and 17th/18th December and take place at Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey. The parade in Port St Mary coincides with Paddy’s Christmas Market on Wednesday, 21st December and those taking part should meet at 6.30pm in the car park at Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey. Workshops are free and great seasonal fun for all the family. To find out more telephone the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure’s Arts Office on 694598 or go to www.iomarts.com -ENDS-