Burning The Clocks

Burning the Clocks is an antidote to the excesses of the commercial Christmas. People gather to make paper and willow lanterns to carry through their city and burn on the beach as a token for the end of the year. No lantern is better for its purpose than any other, all are unique to the maker and precious, but all are given up to be burnt to greet the lengthening days.

Burning the Clocks combines a family solstice parade with a high quality fire show and fireworks for the whole city. The lantern makers invest their lanterns with their wishes, hopes, and fears and then pass them into the fire.

Same Sky creates new urban rituals to replace those traditional festivals that were lost in the dash to be new and non superstitious. These events take elements of the past, delight in the seasons, celebration of place and home, giving and sharing of thoughts and wishes and put them into a format that can be enjoyed regardless of faith or creed.

Burning the Clocks is produced with a grant from Brighton and Hove City Council and the goodwill of local companies and individuals. The parade consists of around 1,000 participants and attracts audiences of 20,000 people from the region.