Magical Middlesbrough Lantern Parade
- Sunday 13 December 2pm to 6pm
One of the most anticipated events of the festive season returns with a brand-new look for 2026.
Festivities start in Centre Square from 2pm with food and drink stalls, and fairground rides. Plus the free Santa Bus and don’t forget to do The Snowman Trail.
Santa bus
Centre Square, drop in between 2pm – 6pm
Hop on board the free Santa bus – brought to you by Arriva. Come and meet Santa in his grotto on wheels and receive a little Christmas gift for free too! No need to book, just drop in, meet the elves and do some crafts while you wait.
The Snowman Trail
Various locations around the town centre
A favourite Middlesbrough Christmas tradition. Trail maps will be available to pick up from MIMA or Holiday Inn Express from Monday 16 November. Collect yours and find all 12 Snowman sculptures around the town centre. Be sure to take some photos and enter The Snowman and Me competition for the chance to win one of the epic prize bundles.
The parade
This year’s parade sets off at 4pm and the theme is The Night Before the Night Before Christmas.
Christmas is nearly here, but there’s still so much to do! Toys to make, presents to wrap, decorations to hang and a little Christmas magic to sprinkle along the way…
Led by the incredible SPARK! drummers, the parade sets off at 4pm, bringing glowing lanterns, larger-than-life creations, music and festive performers through the heart of Middlesbrough. Local schools and community groups have been working with artists to create the colourful, illuminated lanterns.
And the fun doesn’t stop there!
From 4.45pm, the parade will arrive in Centre Square which will sparkle with a giant Christmas disco complete with a massive mirrorball, live performances and plenty of festive dancing to round off the celebrations. The party will continue until 6pm.
A free festive celebration for the whole family, created by Stellar Creates (the brilliant team behind Nightfall, Shine on Boro, Tomorrow Street and Happy Rooms) with local artists, performers, schools and community groups from across Middlesbrough.
This promises to be one of the most enchanting Christmas events Middlesbrough has ever seen.
Parking
Free parking has been confirmed in all town centre Council car parks during the Magical Middlesbrough Lantern Parade from 1pm. There’s also free parking from 3pm at Captain Cook Square from 23 November until 3 January.
Please note: MIMA car park will be closed as part of the traffic management arrangements for the Christmas Lights Switch-On and the Magical Middlesbrough Lantern Parade events.
