Brighton came alive on Saturday evening as thousands of spectators lined the streets to witness the city’s iconic Burning the Clocks parade, now in its 30th year. The cherished winter solstice festival brought together community members in a dazzling display of lanterns, music, and fire, culminating in a dramatic bonfire on Brighton beach.
With an estimated 30,000 attendees, the event continues to be a major highlight in Brighton’s cultural calendar. This year’s theme, “Voyager,” paid tribute to personal and collective journeys, inspired by Carl Sagan’s poignant reflection on humanity:
“Everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives, on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.”
A Tradition of Light and Time
Founded in 1993, Burning the Clocks offers a unique alternative to traditional Christmas festivities, bringing a deeply symbolic celebration of time and reflection. At the heart of the festival is a procession of handmade lanterns and costumes, crafted with willow canes and white tissue paper. Each costume is adorned with a clock face, symbolizing the passing of time.
Led by vibrant local bands, the procession snakes through Brighton’s city centre, creating a carnival-like atmosphere before reaching the seafront. The evening culminates in a spectacular lantern bonfire and fireworks display, where participants ceremoniously burn their lanterns, signifying renewal and letting go of the past year.
Challenges and Triumphs
Despite its success, the festival is not without challenges. Organizers have highlighted the high costs associated with staging the event, with this year’s expenses reaching an estimated £45,000. Yet, the support of the community and local sponsors ensures the tradition endures.
A Celebration of Journeys
This year’s “Voyager” theme resonated deeply with attendees, reflecting on individual and collective journeys over the past three decades of the festival’s existence. The timeless message of connection and exploration made the event particularly poignant as it marked this significant milestone.
Brighton’s Burning the Clocks continues to be a beacon of creativity and community spirit, lighting up the darkest days of winter and uniting people in shared celebration. As lanterns were consigned to the flames on the beach, they carried with them the hopes, memories, and aspirations of a city ready to embrace another year.
