Burning the Clocks is a unique winter solstice festival held each December in Brighton, England, created by arts charity Same Sky. This enchanting event brings the community together for a lantern-lit parade through the city, culminating in a beachside bonfire and fireworks display. Participants carry handmade lanterns symbolizing their hopes and dreams, which are burned to mark the end of the year and welcome the new one.
Burning the Clocks is a free event, but it relies heavily on donations and support from the community to cover costs, including materials for lantern-making workshops, artists’ fees, and the final spectacle. Without these contributions, this magical, inclusive celebration of renewal and unity wouldn’t be possible.
Every donation to Burning the Clocks directly impacts the community by enabling Same Sky to provide free lantern-making workshops for Brighton’s residents, including refugees, children with learning disabilities, and Deaf and hard-of-hearing participants. Each contribution means more lanterns in the procession and more opportunities for diverse groups to join in this symbolic celebration of renewal. The costs of the event are significant—covering the parade alone requires £26,000, which includes materials, accessibility support, artists' fees, and safety measures. Every pound donated helps make the festival more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that everyone in Brighton can participate in this cherished community tradition and find light, unity, and hope in the darkest time of the year.