Bishop Auckland Town Council is thrilled to announce a brand-new addition to this year’s festive celebrations – a spectacular Christmas Parade taking place on Friday 5th December 2025 at 6:30pm, right in the heart of the town. This exciting new event is part of the wider Christmas Town programme, and is proudly funded and led by the Town Council as a way to bring even more festive magic to the community.
The Council has commissioned Jack Drum Arts, based in Crook, to create a vibrant and inclusive parade featuring, Samba Drumming Elves, Giant Puppets including Santa, dancers, naughty Elves and majestic Ice King and Queen. The parade will travel from the Town Council Office on Kingsway, out onto Newgate Street, and will make its way along to the Market Place, where it will loop and finish outside of the Town Hall. Town Council are funding the parade as well as being a principle partner in the Christmas Town event.
Town Clerk Sarah Harris said: “The Town Council are absolutely delighted to bring this new parade to Bishop Auckland, as a further addition to their Christmas offering. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together, showcase creativity, and make Christmas even more special for our residents. We are working with key community partners and local artists to bring lantern making sessions to the community. We really hope lots of people get involved with the sessions, or even just come to watch the parade and soak up the Christmas magic.”
In the lead-up to the parade, community workshops will be held to give residents the chance to get involved and be part of the celebration. Details will be released shortly by the Town Council.
Helen Ward, Jack Drum Arts Said: “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Bishop Auckland Town Council this year to bring some festive magic to the brilliant Christmas Town event, with the exciting addition of a Christmas parade for the local community to enjoy. Expect a full-on Christmas extravaganza featuring puppets, lanterns, elf drummers, and some cheeky walkabout acts!”
Thomas Wales, Bishop Auckland Christmas Town Said: “The Town Council is a principle partner of Christmas Town, and from the beginning they have helped to make this magical event happen each year, so it is fantastic that they are supporting a Christmas Parade this year, it will bring additional festive magic.”
The community will have the opportunity to be part of the parade, as the Town Council have commissioned local artists from the Town to work with the Council to deliver community workshops where you can go along and make your own lantern and become part of the parade.
Lantern Workshops
The Community are welcome to participate in the parade, to join in you can attend a Free lantern making workshop on the following dates:
- Saturday 25th October 2025, 10am-12pm, Recycled Bottle Lantern Making at the Town Council Offices, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland (Half term)
- Tuesday 28th October 2025, 1-3pm, Willow Lantern making, held at No. 42, Market Place Bishop Auckland (Half Term)
- Saturday 22nd November 2025, 10am-12pm, Recycled Bottle Lantern Making at the Town Council Offices, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland
Please only book to attend one of these sessions if you are able to join in the parade on Friday 5th December 2025, as places are limited.
Booking is required, so please book your session in advance. To book your session, complete this Microsoft Form:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=_WJPd-F-EUKeUH8wBchQ3-LCURFUtUFFuoM3nIz3CvdUOFZTSEVXRlpVNjM2SE5aTksyVzVLSzYzSi4u
Alternatively, please contact 01388 207110 or email council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk
All ages welcome, please note that children must be supervised at sessions.
Stay tuned to the Town Council website and social media channels for updates on workshops.
Bishop Auckland Christmas Town
Bishop Auckland Christmas Town is running from Thursday 4th December 2025 until Sunday 7th December 2025.
Further information is available at www.bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk
