Community Lantern Festival

Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival is an extremely popular week of lantern-making, music and storytelling, which culminates in a unique finale re-enacting the legend of Moonraking from the eighteenth century. It brings together local residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. The festival has developed over 30 years as a catalyst for community creativity, building a reputation for artistic excellence that has seeped into the fabric of the area and has been at the heart of the community's creative and cultural development. It is organised biennially by a voluntary committee and trustees and has grown from a small half-term activity focusing on young children and families to a nationally respected community festival, creating a shared cultural experience for generations of local people.