SPAN Arts has been commissioned to deliver a large-scale lantern parade event in Haverfordwest on Friday 30th of October 2026.  

The parade aims to bring the community together in celebration of the town, its people, and Pembrokeshire. The parade and its theme will be shaped by the community, and we are looking for a lead artist/s to join us on this journey.  

Starting with the open call to artists and community choice of theme, the engagement will continue through a targeted program of lantern-making workshops, and large lantern commissions. All this will culminate in the grand parade itself accompanied by live music and ending with an iconic light-based celebratory performance, putting the town on the map in terms of its commitment to quality and innovation and leaving a legacy of increased civic pride and connection. 

SPAN is looking for artists to pitch visual concepts for the event, focusing on the design of large-scale lanterns/puppets that will be the centre point of the event.  

This year’s parade is inspired by the theme: Noson Galan Gaeaf, Samhain, the Welsh and Celtic festivals that mark the start of Winter.   

Process: 

SPAN works through co-creation and aims to place the voice of the community at the centre of the decision-making. From this open call, a shortlist of proposals will be presented to the community to vote on the concept they want to see.  

The shortlist will be selected by SPAN staff and the community. If your pitch is shortlisted to go to the public vote, you will be supported by the SPAN team to develop a set of visuals for the public to view. The public vote will be done both online and at a series of community pop-ups in Haverfordwest.  

The selected artist will then be commissioned to work alongside SPAN to design, make, and puppeteer the lanterns as part of the parade.  

The lead artist will be expected to be part of planning meetings and play an active role with other creative collaborators on the event such as performers, filmmakers, musicians, and lighting designers.  

What your pitch needs to include:  

Pitch:  

A 50-word pitch that will be used in the public vote if shortlisted.  

Concept:  

A longer description of the overall visual theme, concept, or story that will inform the wider marketing, promotion, and style of the event. This will be used in the shortlisting process. We hope that the ideas will have some global or wider relevance and strong local resonance with the people and place.  

Visuals:  

A visual concept for the large-scale lantern/puppet/s that will form the focus point of the parade itself. The design needs to be achievable, and practical and will be created and puppeteer by the selected artist at the parade as part of the commission. These could be sketches, photographs or an ideas board, these images will be used as part of the public voting process is shortlisted.   

Bio: 

A short bio of your experience of delivering work at the scale. This will be sued both to support the shortlisting and as part of the public vote.  

The proposal could also include: 

A simple and replicable design for a handheld lantern that can be made by the community in workshops in the lead-up to the parade itself. The delivery of the community-focused lantern-making workshops will be part of a separate paid commission.  

Inspiration or suggestions for a light-based performance that will be the finale of the event at the end of the community parade. This performance will be part of a separate paid commission.  

Budget: 

The total commission for the design, making, and puppeteering of the large-scale lanterns/puppets, including all material, transport, and fee is £2,000. 

Time scale: 

Call-out deadline: 16th May 

Shortlist confirmed: week commencing 25th May 

Public vote: week commencing 1st June, vote open for 3 weeks, vote closes 22nd June 

Commission awarded: week commencing 29th June 

Lantern/puppet/s creation phase: July – Oct 

Parade event: Friday 30th October  

How to Submit: 

Email your written proposal and supporting images to info@span-arts.org.uk. 

Alternative formats: if it would be more accessible you can submit a video pitch plus supporting images, email the video file to info@span-arts.org.uk. 

If you have any questions regarding the pitch contact Bethan Morgan Community producer at info@span-arts.org.uk.  

Additional info: 

The route of the parade is being finalised now in agreement with Pembrokeshire County Council. It will travel through the streets of central Haverfordwest and may include sections with reduced height or width.  

The parade will involve potential 100’s of community members walking the route alongside the largescale lanterns/puppets/s, and 1,000s of people watching,  their safety and enjoyment must be considered in the delivery of this commission.  

The parade is an outdoor event, and the puppets need to be able to survive potential bad weather including wind and rain.  

The Lantern Parade is Funded by UK Government and Powered by Levelling Up. 

There is no making or storage space available within the town centre so the large-scale lanterns/puppets will need to be made off-site and transported to and from the town on the day of the parade.