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Ashbourne Lantern Spectacular 2023
This year’s Ashbourne Lantern Spectacular takes place on Friday 8 December, 2023.
A Night of Magical Illumination kicks off from 5 pm with the lantern procession starting from St Oswald’s Church at 6.30 pm.
What is the Lantern Spectacular?
Every year, the town of Ashbourne comes alive with a magical spectacle of light and music during the Lantern Spectacular, a growing tradition held on the second Friday of December. This year, the event will take place on Friday, December 8th, 2023, transforming the historic market town into a wonderland of illuminated lanterns.
Handcrafted Lanterns
The lanterns themselves are a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of the local community. Participants spend months meticulously crafting their lanterns, showcasing a dazzling array of shapes, sizes, and designs. From whimsical creatures and enchanting fairy tales to intricate geometric patterns and festive symbols, the lanterns reflect the unique spirit of Ashbourne.
Market Place
As the procession reaches the Market Place, the lanterns are gathered together, creating a mesmerizing sea of light that illuminates the night sky. The air is filled with the sounds of Christmas carols and festive tunes, adding to the magical ambience.
Entertainment and food stalls
The evening’s festivities continue with entertainment and activities, ensuring a memorable experience for all ages. Local artisans set up stalls, showcasing their handcrafted wares, while street performers add their flair to the vibrant atmosphere. Food stalls tempt taste buds with an array of delicious treats, from traditional Christmas fare to international delights.
Free parking
Ashbourne’s council car parks will offer free parking for the event from 2 pm.
Derbyshire Christmas cottage retreat
Why not combine a visit to Ashbourne with a stay at Wheeldon Trees?
Award-winning Wheeldon Trees is one of the Peak District’s leading cottage retreats.
Our Peak District cottages are close to a variety of activities. Things to do include hiking, biking, fishing, and visiting historic landmarks. We are also perfectly placed for wandering around charming English villages and taking in cafe society.
We have 10 stunning cottages set in 12 acres of Peak District National Park. Alongside luxury cottages, our rural retreat offers free EV charging and an honesty shop packed to the brim with goodies. In addition, we have a fantastic games room where you can play pool, air hockey or ping pong. We have two new electric bikes for you to borrow to explore the local area. What’s more, we have recently added two new hybrid bikes.
In 2023 five of our cottages were rated 5-Star Gold by VisitEngland. Firstly, the Farmhouse retained its 5-Star Gold rating from 2021. And now Priestley Cottage, Ollerenshaw Cottage, Nadin Cottage and Mycock Cottage join it with top marks. The remaining five cottages – Sheldon, Walker’s Rest, Critchlow, Elliott and Lomas were all rated 4-Star Gold. In addition, TripAdvisor recently named Wheeldon Trees in the top 10% of places to stay in the world. Thanks to our visitors’ amazing reviews, we were delighted to be awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023 for the second year running. To complete the hat trick, we were also the runner-up in best self-catering accommodation at this year’s Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.
You can view our availability and pick your perfect cottage by following this link – view our availability.
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