CREATIVE sparks in Bromsgrove are being encouraged to join the town's popular Festival of Light procession.

There are many ways to get involved in the run up to the festivities, from lantern making to carnival performances, and people can watch the parade on the day.

A free, outdoor event bringing together music, community and award winning carnival, this year’s Festival of Light will see a collaboration between Artrix’s associate artist Kristoffer Huball and Shademakers, one of Europe's leading carnival groups.

As an inclusive and accessible parade through Bromsgrove’s town’s centre, the Festival of Light aims to engage with local schools, young people and community groups.

Families are being invited to make a pyramid lantern in one of Artrix’s free lantern making workshops on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18 at 10am and 3pm.

There will also be a lantern making for the brave workshop on Saturday, December 1 at 10am or 1pm, where anyone wanting to create a more complex design can get tips from a professional team.

All sessions will take place at Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, and are free of charge, but can be pre booked by calling 01527 57733.

The Artrix is also looking for 50 volunteer performers to be part of the festival spirit on the day of the parade.

Last year’s Festival of Light saw around 1,000 people turn out into the streets, following a series lantern making workshops in schools and the community, to welcome a 20ft giant boy into the town centre with a pyrotechnic finale.

Anyone who would like to get involved as one of 50 community carnival performers will need to be able to commit to a three hour rehearsal on Saturday, December 8.

The procession is on Sunday, December 9 at 5pm.

For more information, email kristoffer.huball@gmail.com