Merry and Bright Festival of Light Glows with Youth Creativity in Ryde – despite the wild weather!

Friday 5th December 2025

Friday 5th December’s Merry and Bright – Festival of Light, curated by New Carnival, proved that a bit of wild weather can not dim the creativity of the Island’s young people, or the Island’s community spirit.

With heavy rain and gale force winds looming, New Carnival and partner venues across the town pulled together to deliver a reimagined indoor festival. Huge thanks go to Aspire Ryde, Network Ryde, Ryde Town Council’s 11 St Thomas’s Square, the Royal Victoria Arcade and to Department, who opened additional space in its theatre at short notice.

Every corner of the festival featured young people at the heart of the action. A reduced lantern parade wound through the town. RAW Samba and their dancers powered the procession, followed by families from St Helens, Wootton, and Barton Primary Schools proudly carrying lanterns they’d designed and made themselves. Members of East Cowes Carnival, New Carnival performers, volunteers, and a supportive and determined crowd joined them. Mayor of Ryde, Diana Conyers, was at the front of the parade. The children holding their lanterns so proudly, absolutely stole the show.

The event featured beautiful lanterns made by VIVA Carnival Club, family craft activities and a booked-out Santa’s Grotto. A highlight was the free glitter tattoo station run by New Carnival’s Youth Project Isle of Creativity members, and incredible face painting by Sharon Poole of Soul Face Arts.

Aspire Creative Hub’s young and incredibly talented emerging bands (Blood Roses, Euphoria, Smile and Lil Bluz) brought an electric energy to the stage at Aspire- remember you saw them here first! Later Abbey Brass band and Double Take singers brought some traditional Christmas festivity.

Network Ryde showcased New Carnival’s brand-new NC Dance Troupe, with leaders Iona and Charles running a dance workshop, Arts with Alicia delivered an aerial workshop with audience members trying it out at the end. There were also performances by Poppy Janella, the El Salvador Dancers, and Templar street dance. The Home Education group ‘Learn, Create, Earn’ had a stall of exquisite homemade gifts.

Huxley Magic got things started in Department’s theatre, packing the place with excited children who then stayed to watch a spectacular youth circus performance from Wild Woods. Followed by performances by Emelia and Vectis Brass Band.

The Royal Victoria Arcade hosted a craft market. There were fantastic performances by Jimi Cameron, Mila Lake, All Saints Rowdy Carols, along with Portsmouth’s 432 Nomads collective and their young emerging poets and singers.

Decorations on display included pieces made, and installed by, young people from The Port, Newport’s youth provision, whose creativity was guided by the talented Munsoon Collective.

Solent Sky Services, working with a team of budding videographers, including an 11year old islander, captured the build-up and the whole event. A series of festival highlight films will be released soon; keep an eye on New Carnival’s socials!

New Carnival Director Hannah Ray said:

“Merry and Bright isn’t just a festival, it’s a platform for young creatives to showcase their talents. The bands at Aspire Creative Hub, the 432 Nomads youth group, young musicians, dancers, circus performers, filmmakers, decorations made by youth at The Port, Isle of Creativity members running activities, along with the school groups all brought energy and imagination which lit up the town. We’re so proud of them, they did an awesome job.”

Merry and Bright Festival of Light is funded by Arts Council England through New Carnival’s National Portfolio Organisation funding, with essential support from Ryde Town Council and generous sponsorship from Wightlink, PC Consultants and Farrow Friends.

The event costs over £8,000 to deliver, and months of planning and preparation go into it. With rising costs and static funding, New Carnival is deeply grateful for every contribution, from funders and partners to the many community members who donated time, skills, or funds. This support makes it possible to fulfil New Carnival’s vision: Ignite creativity; Unite community.

If you’d like to support New Carnival’s ongoing work with young people and the community, and to secure the future of Merry and Bright, Festival of Light, please consider donating: