Farnham is set to host its biggest ever Lantern Festival as Farnham Craft Month comes to an end.

Farnham is counting down the days to this year’s Lantern Festival which is set to be bigger than ever and featuring a new, extended parade route through the town centre.

The festival will take place on Thursday, October 29 and will bring the community together for a celebration of creativity at the end of Farnham Craft Month.

The Festivities will begin at 5pm in Gostrey Meadow, where the lantern will begin to shine as darkness consumes the town. There will be live music from country and folk band Violet Faultline and refreshments available ahead of the procession.

At 6:30pm lantern holders will set off from Gostrey Meadow. The procession will travel along Union Road, up South Street to The Borough, into Downing Street and along Upper Church Lane, finishing at St Andrew’s Church.

After arriving at the church, the lanterns will be displayed together as a large-scale community craft endeavour, showcasing the imagination, skill and collaborative spirit of Farnham’s residents.

To accommodate the parade, a temporary road closure will be in place from 6pm until 7pm so anybody travelling into Farnham by car should allow extra time for their journey.

Councillor Kika Mirylees, Lead Member for Culture at Farnham Town Council, says: “The Farnham Lantern Festival has become a wonderful opportunity to bring our community together through creativity, and we’re delighted to be celebrating our third festival this year. With a bigger parade and a new, longer route through the town centre, we hope even more people will come along, enjoy the atmosphere and support everyone who has put so much time and effort into making their lanterns.”

Anybody wanting to get involved in making a lantern to purchase a lantern-making kit from Farnham Town Hall on South Street. Kits cost £6 each, with a limited number available to community groups free of charge.