Willow Steam Train Lantern to Light Up Newquay’s Trenance Valley

A unique willow steam train lantern will make its debut at this year’s Newquay Lantern Parade on Thursday 21st November, as Blystra Arts brings light and creativity to Trenance Valley.

Two Weeks of Lantern Making

Between 10th and 21st November, Blystra Arts are visiting seven Newquay schools to deliver lantern-making workshops for young people aged 4 to 16. The sessions form part of their annual preparations for the town’s popular Lantern Parade.

In the middle of the fortnight, the arts company will also host a free Community Lantern Making Workshop at Newquay’s WI Hall on Crantock Street. The drop-in session runs from 10.30am to 3.30pm and welcomes anyone who wants to create a lantern and take part in the parade.

Parade Through Trenance Valley

The Newquay Lantern Parade will once again take place in Trenance Valley, running alongside the Trenance Cottages Light Switch-On event. The procession begins at 6pm, moving through the valley to the cottages, with viewing points in Trenance Gardens and around the Boating Lake.

Willow Steam Train Lantern Makes Its First Journey

This year’s parade will feature the first appearance of a willow steam train lantern, part of Blystra Arts’ upcoming 2025 heritage project Stories from the Station. The project marks 200 years since the first passenger steam train journey on 27th September 1825.

Five willow train carriages have been created, each representing a different era, story or character linked to Newquay Railway Station. The carriages were made in collaboration with Your Art Connect, Age UK, Newquay MIND, Treviglas Academy and the local community, with sessions taking place throughout September, October and November.

On 21st November, the willow train lantern will travel under Newquay’s historic viaduct — built in 1849 by Joseph Trefry to transport minerals from central Cornwall to Newquay Harbour.

Alongside the train lantern, large creations from Newquay Tretherras and Treviglas Academy will also feature in the parade, with primary school children carrying smaller, traditional lanterns.

Community Support

The Newquay Lantern Parade and creative activity in 2025 have been supported by Experience Newquay, Coodes Solicitors and Newquay BID. Experience Newquay is a Cornwall Council-funded project, part-funded by the UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund.

Coodes Solicitors are sponsoring the lantern activities and parade for the second year and are the main business sponsor of the 2025 event.

For the full event line-up, visit Newquay Lantern Parade and creative activity – Blystra Arts