Burning the Clocks 2019: Crowdfunding campaign launched for Brighton’s winter solstice celebration

Last year's Burning the Clocks celebration in Brighton. Photograph: Simon Dack Photography

The team behind Brighton’s annual lantern parade Burning the Clocks has launched an ‘essential’ online funding campaign for this year’s event.

Community arts charity Same Sky is looking to raise £6,500 through its Crowdfunder for the winter solstice celebration, which will return on December 21.

Artistic director John Varah said: “Our Crowdfunder for Burning the Clocks is essential to keep this event alive, as it costs over £30,000 to produce each year and doesn’t receive any guaranteed funding.

“We’ve been overwhelmed in the past with support from the public who make donations along the route and this is also crucial to cover the growing costs for this fabulous winter parade and celebration on winter solstice.”

The Burning the Clocks celebration in Brighton last year. Photograph: Simon Dack Photography

As per previous years, investors will receive different prizes based on the size of their donation, including personalised lanterns, meals at restaurants such as The Chilli Pickle, Terre à Terre and The Ivy in the Lanes, and VIP viewing tickets to watch the event from a prime location on the beach.

Also among the prizes, are 30 limited-edition giclee prints created by Brighton illustrator and printmaker Graham Carter, who has created original artwork for the celebration for seven years.

Mr Varah added: “I’d like to encourage anyone who wants to join us on the parade, or anyone who has enjoyed it in the past, to take a look at some of our new prizes on offer this year.