Dunedin Midwinter Carnival

On June 26th over 5,000 spectators will swarm Dunedin’s city centre to watch a spectacular Lantern Procession to celebrate the longest night and shortest day.

This year the Lantern Procession, the highlight of the Dunedin Midwinter Carnival, is in its’ 11th year and has a ‘Creatures of the Sea’ theme. Spectators will be enchanted by a glowing stream of over 700 people, 250 hand-made lanterns, 10 giant lanterns, costumed dancers, stilt walkers, musicians, and fire-works.

The giant lanterns are the centre-piece of the procession. Visually spectacular they are enormous works of art designed and built by well-known Dunedin artists Katrina Tomson and Karan Snow.

Perhaps the most endearing element of this event is that all of the smaller lanterns are hand-made by local children and their families. Hundreds attend lantern making workshops in the community leading up to the event, and all families that make lanterns get to carry them as part of the procession. The lanterns are a symbol of the returning light, of hope and of community.

This year there will be three workshops, they are all open to the public and only a small donation to cover the costs of materials is required.

For more information on the Carnival or to find out the nearest lantern workshop for you visit www.midwintercarnival.co.nz