Lantern Parade - Keele Diversity Festival 2026

Join us for Keele University Lantern Parade, the glowing finale of the 2026 Diversity Festival. After a series of lantern‑making workshops on campus, the community comes together for an illuminated procession celebrating creativity, connection and shared belonging.

Gather at Union Square from 6:45pm on Tuesday 20 October, where the Forest of Light installation will brighten the square ahead of a short lantern walk across campus. The parade sets off at once assembled after 7pm, creating a gentle, atmospheric procession led by lanterns crafted by students, staff and community participants in the weeks leading up to the event.

This year’s Lantern Parade also connects to Carry The Fire, the large‑scale lantern event taking place later in the year in Newcastle‑under‑Lyme town centre. Students and staff are warmly encouraged to bring their Keele lanterns to that celebration too, carrying creativity and community from campus into the wider region.

The Lantern Parade is supported by the Keele Key Fund and delivered in partnership with ArtsKeele, Campus Life, and Keele University Students’ Union.

With thanks to the Keele Key Fund for supporting Keele Lantern Parade 2026.

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