Project
Burning the Clocks
Burning the Clocks Will Not Be Taking Place in 2025
Burning the Clocks will be taking a fallow year in 2025. This is to allow us time to focus our resources and to strategically review and secure the long-term future for Same Sky. We’re a small but powerful charity that has connected communities through shared art projects since we began in 1987 – but in recent years alongside many other small arts charities we’ve faced immense funding challenges.
Burning the Clocks will return in-full in 2026. The 2026 effigy has already been commissioned with the theme, ‘Magicada’, representing a symbolic rest followed by a noisy awakening. The massive lantern sculpture designed & built by Same Sky associate artist Nikki Gunson will be displayed publicly this year in Central Brighton on Sunday 21 December 2025. More details will be released closer to the date.
We have a busy year ahead with more than two dozen community arts events across the country in the coming year. Our national programme includes Glow Wild at Wakehurst Kew, Bexley Winter Lights, Jack on the Green in Worthing, Brighton Children’s Parade in collaboration with Brighton Festival, the Horsham Children’s Parade in collaboration with Happy Accidents, the Winter Light Parades across Kent with Cohesion+ and many, many more.
Please keep a look out for announcements on social media or on our website about the 2025 event. We hope you will be able to join us.
Jane McMorrow Interim CEO
Jo Goodey Chair
Photo by Simon Dack
Photo by Simon Dack
Through the city Burning the Clocks. Image Mundial photo
Photo Simon Dack
Photo by Ray Gibson
Photo by Simon Dack
Rosaria Gracia and her Dancers. Burning the Clocks 2023
Beach show. Burning the Clocks 2018. 3 metre high heart. Maker: Jo Coles
Mr T.Rex dinosaur puppet Burning the Clocks 2019. Makers: concept and design Paul Render, development & rig Nikki Gunson, bicycle Mike Patterson, lighting & sound John Varah. Image Mundial photo.
Photo by Simon Dack
Photo by Ray Gibson
Photo by Simon Dack
Photo by Heather Buckley
Photo by Ray Gibson
Photo by Ray Gibson
About Burning the Clocks
For three decades, Burning the Clocks has become a special date in Brighton’s calendar. Taking place on the winter solstice 21st December, this fantastical procession brings magic to the streets, with a stream of luminous lanterns and a spectacular 2,000-strong parade.
When the winter parade has wound its way to the beach, people pass their handmade paper and willow lanterns – filled symbolically with their hopes and dreams – into a blazing bonfire and prepare for the spectacular fire show and firework display.
Held on the shortest day (longest night) of the year, this growing tradition marks the passing of time by ‘burning the clocks’ and welcoming in the new sun. With over 30,000 spectators, this popular event turns the spotlight away from the more commercial side of Christmas and lights up the darkest of winter nights.
Burning the Clocks was created by Same Sky in 1994 as a way for the whole community to enjoy the festive season, regardless of faith or creed. Each year a new theme, related to the concept of time, is incorporated into the event to bring new and exciting elements.
As part of the event, Same Sky carries out free lantern-making community workshops for local community groups. Some of those we work with are homeless young people, single fathers, and young carers. We encourage them to make something they are proud of, fire them up with creative passion and bring them together with their community through the shared experience of art.