Everyone is invited to join in on 21st November in The Blue Market, Bermondsey, see the events page!
This year we’re thrilled to announce a sister event Light Up the Old Docks will take place on Saturday 15th November 2025 in Russia Dock Woodlands organised by Lightwhale International. Everyone is invited to join in with both parades on 15th November in Russia Dock Woodlands and on 21st November in The Blue Market, Bermondsey.
Illuminate Bermondsey is a free annual lantern festival that brings light, creativity, and community spirit to Bermondsey each winter. Inspired by the histories of the Thames, the docks, and migration, this much-loved event invites residents of all ages to come together and celebrate the stories that shape our neighbourhood.
The festival began as Illuminate Rotherhithe in 2016, founded by local residents and inspired by the Mayflower ship, believed to have docked in Rotherhithe before setting sail with the first pilgrims to America. What started as a small community procession has grown year on year — and since 2019, it’s expanded into Bermondsey, with events and workshops across venues including The Blue Market.
Each year’s theme continues to explore local history, migration, and cultural identity, celebrating the diverse communities that make Bermondsey and Rotherhithe so vibrant today.
Light festivals have long been a way for people around the world to come together — from Diwali and Hanukkah to Bonfire Night and the Winter Solstice. Illuminate Bermondsey offers our own local take on this global tradition: a chance to share warmth, creativity, and hope during the darkest months of the year.
Local artists lead lantern-making workshops, helping residents design and build their own creations for the parade. Together, they transform our streets into a glowing celebration of imagination and community.
Illuminate Bermondsey is organised by Collaborative Arts C.I.C. in partnership with Southwark Presents Cultural Celebration Fund, The Blue Market Place, Big Local Works, Blue Bermondsey BID, and Lightwhale International.
