Verified and updated: November 13, 2026, 9:00 a.m. UTC.
Greenwich’s 2026 Christmas Lantern Parade is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00). Local primary school children will carry handmade lanterns from the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, through Cutty Sark Gardens and on to Greenwich Market. The event is free to attend, and a Christmas light switch-on is scheduled at the market for 5:00 p.m. GMT. Visit Greenwich’s event listing confirms the parade time and free admission; Greenwich Market’s listing describes the route and broader program.
For visitors, the main planning points are straightforward: arrive at the Old Royal Naval College before the 4 p.m. gathering, follow the procession toward the market, and expect the light countdown after the parade reaches Greenwich Market. The market’s listing says festivities begin at noon and continue until 6:30 p.m., so the parade is one part of a longer afternoon and evening program.
The event listing gives the parade a 4:00–4:50 p.m. slot on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. It says gathering begins at 4 p.m. in the Old Royal Naval College grounds, after which the procession travels toward Greenwich Market for the light switch-on at 5 p.m. Both times are Greenwich local time. London is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00) on this November date, so 4 p.m. GMT is 16:00 UTC and 5 p.m. GMT is 17:00 UTC.
One detail can be easy to misread: Greenwich Market’s event page also lists live entertainment from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. That is a separate program item hosted at the market, not the parade’s duration. The Visit Greenwich event page lists the parade itself as 4:00–4:50 p.m. and the light switch-on at 5 p.m.
The procession starts in the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College. Children from local primary schools carry handmade lanterns through the historic grounds and across Cutty Sark Gardens, continuing to Greenwich Market. The published route points visitors from the college toward the market, where the procession is expected to arrive for the Christmas lights countdown.
For a good viewing plan, get to the Old Royal Naval College before 4 p.m. if you want to see the departure, or position yourself near Greenwich Market ahead of the scheduled arrival and 5 p.m. switch-on. The sources give the route and overall timing but do not provide a detailed street-by-street map or exact arrival minute, so allow time to move between viewing areas and follow event staff directions.
Yes. Visit Greenwich lists the event as “Free Entry” and “FREE Admission.” No ticket purchase is indicated on the event page. The public event is family-friendly, with children welcome. Food, drinks, shopping, and other purchases at Greenwich Market are separate from admission and may cost extra.
The market’s published schedule describes festivities beginning at noon and running until 6:30 p.m. It lists daytime stage performances, the parade, a 5 p.m. Christmas light countdown led by the Mayor of Royal Greenwich, a brass band performance, and a later dance performance. Check the official event pages before traveling in case organizers update the schedule, access information, or program.
The route passes historic sites with varied surfaces. Visit Greenwich says it is mostly flat but may include uneven flagstones and cobbles around the Old Royal Naval College grounds, Greenwich town center, and the market. Visitors who need step-free access or other accommodations should review the listing and contact the organizer for current details.
This schedule is based on the event pages checked on November 13, 2026. As the date approaches, organizers remain the best source for any changes to times, route, or access arrangements.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00).
The procession travels to Greenwich Market after passing through Cutty Sark Gardens.
No ticket is listed: Visit Greenwich says admission is free.
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