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Wells Lantern Festival stunned the crowds but raises just £9.11

Local News by Laura Linham 20th Jan 2026  
The Wells Lantern Festival dazzled with celestial themes but raised only £9.11 (Photos: Wells Cathedral/Jason Bryant)
The Wells Lantern Festival dazzled with celestial themes but raised only £9.11 (Photos: Wells Cathedral/Jason Bryant)

Wells lit up this weekend as the city's sixth Lantern Festival took over the Cathedral and streets with a celestial celebration of creativity.

The theme, 'It Came From Outer Space', drew crowds in their hundreds, with glowing lanterns, samba beats and even a life-sized ET making an appearance. But despite all the sparkle, the donation buckets told a different story – raising just £9.11 on the day.

Organised by local volunteers from Project Factory, the event followed a lively Community Day and began with a packed cathedral glowing with handmade lanterns.

The parade, led by Bristol's Ambling Band and a UFO trishaw carrying everyone's favourite extraterrestrial, wound its way around the Cloisters and Bishop's Palace before ending in the Market Place. Wells' own Samba do Bispo brought the rhythm with illuminated dancers, and Fresh n' Good kept everyone fed with soup, sausages and cake.

Prizes were handed out by the Dean, the Mayor and Lantern Festival founder Kirstie Harris, and there's no doubt the night was a success in spirit.

But with a funding gap of around £1,000, Project Factory are now calling on supporters to help keep the festival going. If you'd like to contribute, you can email [email protected].

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(Photos: Wells Cathedral/Jason Bryant)

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