New Carnival, in partnership with Ryde Town Council and with funding from Arts Council England, is bringing back the much-loved Merry and Bright: Festival of Light to Ryde on Friday 5th December from 17:00 to 20:00.
Now in its fifth year, the community event will feature more indoor venues and include Ryde’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Families can expect an evening of live music, entertainment, craft activities and the return of Father Christmas’s grotto. Highlights include dancing with the New Carnival troupe, circus skills with Alicia the Arts and Wild Woods, and performances from crowd favourites such as Huxley Magic, 432 Nomads Collective, Vectis Brass, Abbey Brass, Double Take, Jimi Cameron and Rowdy Carols.
At the heart of the festivities is the Lantern Parade, taking place from 18:00 to 19:00 with this year’s theme of “Yule”, tying in with New Carnival’s Folk theme for 2025–26. The parade will start at Dover Street and follow a route through Park Street, Star Street, the High Street and Union Street, finishing at Western Gardens.
Participants include St Helen’s Primary, Binstead Primary, Wootton Primary, Ryde School Pre-Prep, Shademakers and Carnival Associations from Ryde, Ventnor, Sandown, East Cowes and Newport, along with their royalty floats. RAW Samba and other groups will add rhythm and energy throughout the parade route.
Aspire will be open to the public offering festive refreshments and showcasing musical performances by its young ‘Aspire Creative Hub’ talents, alongside members of the 432 Nomads Collective from Portsmouth.
Illuminated installations will light up Vernon Square Gardens, with a quiet Dark Skies area and refreshments from Vernon Square Conservation Society. St Thomas’s Rest Garden will feature an interactive Neon Garden, expanded this year with contributions from Newport Youth (The Port) and the Munsoon Collective.
The main stage at St Thomas Church (Network Ryde) will host music, circus and dance acts. The former NatWest building will become the Creation Station, where families can enjoy face painting, tattoos, crafts, gift-making, a wishing tree and visits to Father Christmas’s Grotto (£3 per child).
The Royal Victoria Arcade will host a festive craft market, while many local businesses are taking part in the late-night shopping event. Participating shops include Liz Earle, Duxmore Botanics, Her Whey, Essence Crystal Boutique, Café 64, French Franks, Pickle and Dill, Dotty, Crepe Lovers, The Christmas Imaginarium, Soy Wax Candles, A Higher Ground, the Kandy Box, Sarakasi and The Fantastic Store.
The event will also include a vintage bus from the Bus Museum being used as a performance space, with The Department also opening its doors. The evening will close with a fiery finale from Wild Woods in St Thomas Square.
Merry and Bright is a community-led event with a delivery cost of £10,000. It is supported by Wightlink, PC Consultants, Solent Sky Services and Farrow Friends.
Free lantern-making workshops are taking place at:
- St Margaret’s Hall, Ventnor on Saturday (22nd November), 13:00–17:00
- Newport Minster on Saturday (29th November), 10:00–13:00
- Better Days Café, Ventnor on Saturday (29th November), 10:00–13:00
DIY lantern kits are also available for £10, or groups can book their own workshops.
For adults aged 19 and over, a Large Willow Sculpture Workshop is taking place at Brighstone Wilberforce Hall on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd November from 10:00–16:00. Tickets are £40, or £25 for concessions.
