The River Clyde Solstice Walk 2025
December 21, 6-8 PM
Gardens of Hope, New Glasgow
The River Clyde Solstice Walk celebrates the promise of light on the darkest day of the year. On December 21st from 6-8 pm, we invite you to step into the darkness with a flame, light, or lantern and walk with us to invoke the return of the sun.
The Winter Solstice reminds us of the cycles of renewal and the potential for change as we emerge from the darkness. In the midst of the climate crisis, the Solstice Walk shines a light on our capacity for change through attention to and presence with our community and the natural world.
Tickets
The Solstice Walk begins promptly at 6pm, departing from the lower parking lot of The Preserve Company. The walk will travel through the Gardens of Hope, across the New Glasgow Bridge, and will conclude at The Mill in New Glasgow, where there will be small bonfires, live music on the veranda, fire-spinning and other performances. Hot cider and soup will be served!
The Solstice Walk moves along sloped footpaths that may be icy - please wear good winter footwear and warm layers. Bring a flashlight or lantern to light your way.
If you prefer not to join the walk, you can reserve a ticket to our indoor viewing experience and watch the procession from inside The Mill restaurant at 6pm. Enjoy live music by Devon Ross and a Solstice-theme crafting activity as you watch the lanterns journey through the Gardens and across the bridge toward the Mill.
NOTE: In the event of severe winter weather, the River Clyde Solstice Walk will take place the following evening, December 22 from 6-8pm.
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Set your price with a pay-what-you-can ticket.
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Round trip shuttle service from Charlottetown to New Glasgow, with a downtown & uptown pickup/drop-off location. Courtesy of Pauley Tours
5:00 pm from Atlantic Technology Centre (176 Great George St)
5:15 pm from the Royalty Crossing Mall (670 University Ave)
Solstice Walk Community Projects
Community members are invited to contribute artistic creations to the 2025 River Clyde Solstice Walk!
We are inviting community participants to contribute their own artistic creations to the Solstice Walk. We are seeking projects created by community members: individuals, families, students, friends, or any other groups. You do not need to be a professional artist to submit a project proposal!
Types of projects we encourage are: costumed characters, puppets, grand lanterns, music or sound art, dance, or anything else you may dream up! Projects can take place on a single site along the route, or travel with the procession.
Project proposals are encouraged to use the event’s theme of light and transformation as inspiration.
Selected projects will receive an honorarium to cover material expenses and mentorship from the Solstice Walk artistic team.
We welcome participants from all backgrounds to apply. No previous experience is required.
Deadline to Submit: 11:59pm on Sunday, November 23rd
Want to learn more? Join us for an online info session on Zoom at 6:30pm on November 12th, or explore the details in the Call for Community Projects document below.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2025 River Clyde Solstice Walk!
The 2024 River Clyde Solstice Walk
Trailer by Jacob Puiras
Photos by Robert van Waarden
2023 Solstice Walk Gallery
Photos by Emily Benoit
2022 Solstice Walk Gallery
Photos by Robert Van Waarden
2021 Solstice Walk Gallery
Photos by Jon Pearcey
Shadow Lanterns with Found Objects
Artist, ecologist and Pageant collaborator Kristian Brevik created a tutorial video demonstrating how to make a lantern using recycling and found materials from around your home:
Dogwood Sculptural Lanterns
Pageant co-producer, scenographer and designer Ian McFarlane has created a series of video tutorials on lantern building for anyone who wants to build their own lantern using red osier dogwood, willow, wire and old bedsheets. We invite you to construct a lantern using this technique or any other technique and bring your light out into the world.
Lantern Creation Part 1
Gather some dogwood or willow, wire, an old bedsheet, and glue and you can create your own unique lantern!
Lantern Creation Part 2
Grab a stick, a jar and a candle to add some illumination to your lantern
Lantern Creation Part 3
Skin your lantern with an old bedsheet or piece of cotton to complete it!