Merry & Bright – Festival of Light

Merry and Bright Wet Weather Update

Merry and Bright Wet Weather Update

The festival WILL still go ahead tonight despite the weather forecast – but for everyone’s health and safety, we’ve made a few important changes.
🔹 No Light Switch-On at 5pm
Ryde Town Council have made the decision to cancel the light switch-on in St Thomas’s Square.
🔹 Locations Changed – see attached updated map
Vernon Square Gardens – no activity
Town Square – no activity
St Thomas’s Rest Gardens – reduced display of installations
Aspire Ryde – going ahead
Network Ryde – going ahead
11 St Thomas’s Square (Old NatWest Bank) – going ahead
Royal Victoria Arcade – still open with performances, late night shopping, and a craft market
Department – HUGE thanks to Department who have generously offered their Theatre Space so we can bring several outdoor performers inside ❤️
Plus, Department’s shop will also be open, with a DJ and Bar to keep the festive vibes flowing!
🔹 Updated Performance Timetable
Please check the attached poster for the new schedule.

NB – Emelia and Double Take have swapped places, with Double Take at Aspire and Emelia at Department. The most updated version of the performance timetable is on our Facebook Page
🔹 Lantern Parade – 6pm
The parade will go ahead in a reduced format:
No big costumes
No floats
Pedestrians with hand-held lanterns + RAW Samba 🎶
Anyone wanting to take part in the lantern parade, please meet in Aspire on Dover Street at 5.45pm.
If you prefer to stay sheltered beforehand, you’re welcome to join the community singalong at Aspire!
🔹 Late Night Shopping – ON
Royal Victoria Arcade and many of Ryde’s amazing independent shops and cafés will still be open for late night shopping – perfect for festive browsing while staying warm and cosy!
🔹 Parking
Free parking is available in:
Co-op Car Park
St Thomas’s Street Car Park
Please note:
There will still be NO parking on Union Street from 4pm for the parade.
Standard parking restrictions on surrounding roads will still apply.
Thank you to everyone for your flexibility and festive spirit – let’s still make it a Merry & Bright night! ✨🌧️🕯️

What to expect

Merry and Bright is our annual winter event in partnership with local community artists and organisations, Ryde Town Council and Ryde Business Association. Audiences are invited to visit Ryde after dusk to discover fantastic lantern creations and popup entertainment on a walking circuit of about one mile around the town.

Our uniquely designed walking trail takes spectators to visit the magical Lantern installations in Vernon Square and the Neon Garden St Thomas’s, whilst and marvelling at a collection of beautiful community made seasonal illuminations set in surprising locations. Some shops will be offering late night shopping opportunities and there will be seasonal refreshments available at a number of locations.