Last Saturday, Dover’s town centre was transformed as thousands of residents and visitors came together for the fifth Dover Winter Lantern Festival – a free cultural celebration created in partnership between Future Foundry and Dover Town Council.
The evening sent a clear message: when culture is co-created with the whole community, it can change how a town feels, looks and is perceived.
Wildlife Heroes in the Spotlight
This year’s theme, “Wildlife Heroes”, celebrated the rare and remarkable species returning to Dover’s landscape and the people working hard to protect them.
Four species – the Tawny Owl, the Dover Twist Moth, the Woodcock and the Greater Mouse-Eared Bat – were brought to life as giant illuminated flying lantern puppets. Designed and created in Dover by Future Foundry artists, and commissioned by Dover Town Council and the Port of Dover, these glowing creatures became the stars of the procession.
The puppets soared above the crowds in a spectacular finale in Pencester Gardens – a moment many described as “unforgettable.”
The Mayor of Dover said the artworks were “some of the most impressive lantern sculptures to be seen anywhere in the country,” adding:
Our cliffs, our chalklands and our coastline are alive with stories worth protecting. Each year we add new characters to this glowing menagerie, building a procession that reflects both the imagination and natural heritage of our town.
Culture, Community and Local Benefit
The festival once again showed how public art and community events can deliver real local impact:
- Boosting the town centre – Crowds travelled from across Kent and beyond, increasing footfall for independent traders, cafes and creative businesses.
- Supporting artists and jobs – Future Foundry employed and trained 27 artists as part of its long-term work to build new creative careers in Dover.
- Putting residents at the heart – More than 800 residents, including school pupils and community groups, made lanterns and decorations for the parade.
- Powered by volunteers – Over 50 volunteers supported the procession as carriers, chaperones and stewards.
Festival sound was led by Dover’s own South Coast Samba Band (ages 11–70) in their first procession under legendary drummer Siemy Di, developed by cultural organisation ShivaNova, alongside returning bands Bloco Fogo and Drum and Blaze.
Future Foundry’s youth market also saw record sales and high visitor engagement. One young stallholder said:
It was really nice talking to the people who came to my stall – and I’ve made enough today to pay for my Christmas presents this year.
A Kinder Way to Celebrate: Quiet Fireworks & Wildlife
The evening concluded with Dover’s first-ever quiet fireworks display, designed to:
- reduce harm and distress to wildlife,
- minimise noise pollution, and
- make celebrations more inclusive for people with sensory needs, pets and those affected by PTSD.
Instead of a formal campaign, Dover chose to lead by example – offering a joyful, wildlife-friendly celebration that showed there are different ways to do big moments well.
Throughout December, the Dover Town Light Trail will continue the celebrations, illuminating landmark buildings with wildlife-inspired artworks linked to this year’s lantern procession, extending the impact of the festival across the town.
Youth-Led Culture and Environmental Action
The Lantern Festival is part of a wider wave of youth-led cultural leadership emerging in Dover. Earlier this year, Future Foundry’s Dover in Bloom project – delivered with strong local support – took home three top prizes at the RHS South East in Bloom Awards, demonstrating how collective action can transform public spaces.
Future Foundry Director Lisa Oulton said:
Dover’s young people aren’t just joining events – they’re shaping our town’s future. The Lantern Festival proves that creativity can drive real change. It creates jobs, builds confidence, protects our local environment and shows what happens when we trust communities to lead.
The event also helped shine a light on Dover’s unique ecology. Claire Munn, Principal Ecologist and Managing Director of South East Ecology, shared:
It was incredible to see our rare greater mouse-eared bat brought to life by the talented artists at Future Foundry. Dover is of at least regional importance for bats, but because they’re secretive and nocturnal, it can be hard to engage the public with bat conservation. The giant lantern was a uniquely beautiful, positive and engaging way to showcase bats as a key part of our local natural world.
Thank You to Our Partners and Funders
The Dover Winter Lantern Festival is a Future Foundry and Dover Town Council event, made possible with the support of:
- Arts Council England
- Port of Dover
- Destination Dover
- Dover Community Association
- Dover in Bloom
Special thanks also go to St James Retail Park Dover for providing production space to create the procession lanterns.
Dover Town Council is dedicated to support local organisations, artists, volunteers and residents. Together, they have helped show Dover – and the wider UK – what community-led culture can achieve.
Event Gallery
Highlights from the 2025 Dover Winter Lantern Festival.
Photo Credit Matt Wilson
