Tameside Culture are calling for artists and creative organisations to apply for the opportunity to provide artistic direction, content and community engagement for the 2026 Northern Lights Lantern Parade – Tameside’s annual winter and festive parade.
The 2026 event will take place on 14th November 2026 in Ashton Town Centre.
The Northern Lights event will include a spectacular community lantern parade, which weaves through the streets accompanied by music and dance. The event will culminate with the parade entering Ashton’s Market Square, which will be programmed with a variety of dance and musical acts during the day, for a traditional Christmas lights switch on event.
● Application Deadline: Sunday 31st May 2026 at 5pm
● Decisions By: The week beginning 15th June 2026
● Commission Budget: £25,000 (excl VAT).
Tameside Culture form part of the Council’s wider Cultural Services’ offer and are responsible for Arts and Events provision in Tameside which includes creative community engagement in addition to lifelong learning in the arts. The team also offers heritage, theatre, outdoor arts, creative network and a comprehensive Arts Award Programme, for which it has been recognised nationally. It offers a range of support to many community-based arts groups and to community groups undertaking events. Through partnership working, a wide range of quality arts provision is shared both regionally and nationally.
For the full brief and details on how to apply, please open the PDF below and read carefully.
If you have any questions at all, please email events@tameside.co.uk
