The annual Festival of Lights celebrations are organised by the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation with support from Northampton Borough Council.

Family-friendly activities such as henna painting, Karom board game and sari dressing follow, with performances, music and stage entertainment beginning at 1pm.

The much-anticipated lantern procession will begin at 6pm on the Market Square, with two pedal-powered puppets of Harminder the elephant and Shanti the giant bird leading the way. These old favourites will be joined by puppets of Hanumanji, Rama, Sita, Ravana and Ganesh, as well as pupils from local schools, as they make their way up Abington Street, along St Giles’ Terrace and down St Giles Street. The procession will then take a loop of All Saints Church before returning to the Market Square.

During the procession, a light will be offered to the Leader of the Northampton Borough Council Councillor Jonathan Nunn and Mayor of Northampton, Councillor Nazim Choudary at the steps of The Guildhall and another light at the All Saints Church, received by Father Oliver Coss.