A popular pre-Christmas event that takes place near the Winter Solstice, the Burning of the Clocks is a free family event that attracts over 20,000 people. Devised as an antidote to the excesses of Christmas, participants are invited to don bright costumes and make paper and willow lanterns to become part of the parade which heads through the town and congregates on the beach where there is a huge bonfire and fireworks display. The lanterns are thrown into the fire and the bearers make wishes for the coming year. In the weeks leading up to the event there are a number of lantern-making workshops for young and old alike.

Times
1800-1930.