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Home > Festival > Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Burning the Clocks

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Burning the Clocks

By Caroline King - December 12, 2019Posted in : Festival

Annual community event, Burning the Clocks, takes place on the winter solstice with a fantastical procession bringing magic to Brighton’s streets.

Burning the Clocks 2013 - Brighton - Photo Ray Gibson
Around 2,000 people from the local community take part in the parade (Photo: Ray Gibson)

Held on the shortest day (or longest night) of the year, this growing tradition marks the passing of time by ‘burning the clocks’ and welcoming in the new sun. This popular event aims to turn the spotlight away from the more commercial side of Christmas and light up the darkest of winter nights.

Burning the Clocks was created by Same Sky in 1994 as a way for the whole community to enjoy the festive season, regardless of faith or creed. Each year a new theme, related to the concept of time, is incorporated into the event to bring new and exciting elements.

The parade of luminous lanterns attracts around 2,000 participants and over 20,000 spectators.

On 21st December, the parade will leave from New Road at 6.30pm and arrive at Madeira Drive at approximately 7.15pm. The parade route will include North Street, Ship Street and East Street, before reaching the seafront and Madeira Drive for the finale. For the finale, the lanterns are passed onto a bonfire and a fireshow begins.

Spectators can view the fireshow from Madeira Drive and the Upper Terrace on Marine Parade. Please be aware that the finale will contain loud music and pyrotechnics. The event should finish at around 8pm.

Same Sky is a community project that relies on help from local businesses and members of the public. You can get involved with the Burning the Clocks event by making a donation or volunteering your time.

When: 21st December 2019
Where: Brighton, East Sussex
£: Free

More info: samesky.co.uk/events/burning-the-clocks and www.facebook.com/burningtheclocks

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  • Street theatre, torch bearers and Balkan melodies at Winter Droving

Tagged With: Brighton events, Christmas events, East Sussex events, Family events, Free events, South East

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