About

Parading through historic Waltham Abbey

Friday 26 November 2021, 7pm - 7.45pm

The Town Council has agreed to trial a few changes to the procession route to make it more comfortable for visitors to watch the procession and to free up space along Sun Street – this may help if there are still social distancing measures in place.

The parade will start as normal at the Town Hall but will proceed along Leverton Way, Quaker Lane, turning into Sun Street on the corner by the library. Some visitors may find it more comfortable watching the procession from the wider pavements along Quaker Lane.

Local businesses in Sun Street will be encouraged to stay open so there is still lots to see and do after the barriers have been removed.

Discussions are also underway to relocate the larger fairground rides to the Quaker Lane Car Park, with more stalls in an around Market Square.

Epping Forest District Museum ‘Late Opening’

5pm – 7pm

As part of the Cavalcade of Light event, Epping Forest District Museum are having a late opening.

Join them for an evening of festive fun, refreshments, live entertainment, and a light display, before the town lights are switched on and the procession begins.

Why not also try your hand at a selection of board games, to coincide with our latest exhibition ‘Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered’. The exhibition is on loan from the V&A Museum of Childhood, and looks at boardgames through history, and from across the globe.

It’s also a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping in the gift shop and, of course, look around the museum’s galleries and exhibitions.

The Museum is at 39 – 41 Sun Street.

Entry is free, and you can drop in and out of the museum any time between 5pm and 7pm.

Joining in the fun

If you would like to join in the procession with a float or as part of the walking procession, ring 01992 714949 or email sarah.colley@walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk for more details. www.walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk

Stalls are also welcome from businesses, traders and charities but you will need to provide a copy of your public liability insurance.

Why not make lanterns using small LED lights and recycled materials such as milk cartons and plastic bottles. You could hang them in your windows and bring them to the Cavalcade! www.festivaloflight.uk/lanterns

Events will be taking place in Upshire and Ninefields, as well as in the town centre. The Waltham Abbey Town Partnership will be running the window competition and local businesses can join in creating magical window displays.

Hopefully, the Festival of Light will become a new tradition that can become part of our community leading up to Christmas every year.

For more information: www.festivaloflight.uk