Cancellation of major Harrogate event is blow to town's Christmas season

Flashback - Reincantation Choir preparing to lead the Harrogate at Christmas Lantern Parade from Wesley Church in 2019.

The popular part of Harrogate's festive season would have been held on Thursday, December 3 but organisers have made the reluctant decision to cancel it with the promise it will come back bigger and better in 2021.

The Christmas Lantern Parade was first launched in 2017 as part of the activities to feature on the Channel 5 programme called Harrogate: A Great Yorkshire Christmas.

Over the last few years it has grown in size with nearly 200 children, parents and friends, musicians and staff from St Peter’s School and Western Schools participating last year, led by Reincantation Choir.

John Fox, chair of the Harrogate at Christmas Group who organise the lantern parade and used to raise funds for the Harrogate Christmas lights, said “It is disappointing that we have had to cancel this year’s event.

"With more schools wanting to participate, together with more local musicians, we just cannot make it Covid compliant”.

The event is managed by Red Cape.

Martin Ballard, Red Cape’s managing director said: “We are disappointed that the event is cancelled, but we have agreed with the Harrogate at Christmas Group that we will make the Christmas Lantern Parade bigger and better in 2021.”

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