The annual Magical Lantern Walk, hosted by Root-and-Branch Out, will be returning in 2023.

Every year, one a night in November, the people of Rutland gathered at dusk to walk together, carrying glowing lanterns and smiles, through the town of Oakham. 

At dusk, children of all ages gather in the heart of the market town to take part, with their parents in this creative annual tradition.

Holding brightly lit lanterns of all shapes and sizes, the group walks together through the town centre and finish outside Oakham Castle's Great Hall, where lanterns are lined up to admire.

Hot chocolates are available from Castle Cottage to warm little hands, and the community celebrate the shift in seasons together. 

The Magical Lantern Walk is inspired by Martinmas celebrations that happen across Europe and in small gatherings around other countries worldwide.

Martinmas is the celebration of Saint Martins Day on 11 November. This tradition has been happening for centuries, where children carry lanterns they have made and sing "Martin songs", processing through the town. The walk begins at the town church and finishes at the town centre.

A spokesperson for the event said: "This time of year is when we mark the drawing in of the nights and the beginning of the cold months. There are other cultural and historic celebrations around this time, such as Diwali, the 'festival of light' and the end of the old agricultural calendar.

"Here in Rutland, we have a rich agricultural history, with the Rutland Agricultural Society dating back to 1788! The Magical Lantern Walk brings together children, families and the community to walk together through our beautiful town centre. We are celebrating history, tradition, seasonal changes and our brilliant community."

Assemble at All Saints' Church for Oakham's annual lantern walk. Image credit: Nub News.

This year's Magical Lantern Walk will take place on 11 November at 4.30pm, and will start at All Saints' Church and process through Cutts Close to Oakham Castle.

This is a free event for the whole community, hosted by Root-and-Branch Out, a local charity that works to engage the local community in a range of creative and outdoors projects across Rutland.

Ahead of the event, the group will be hosting a session to help attendees make their own lantern!

This will take place on Saturday 4 November at Oakham Castle, and costs £2.50 per lantern. Running from 11am to 2pm, the team will provide all of the materials and space to create your own bespoke, eco-friendly lantern.

Find out more about the event, and other Halloween and bonfire night events on the horizon, on our What's On page.