Registrations for the 2019 Dunedin Midwinter Carnival’s public lantern building workshops open today, and are expected to fill fast.

Workshops co-ordinator Tania Bracey-Brown said that art team was well underway building the large feature lanterns, but as ever need the help of the public to make the event what it is. “I remember making lanterns as a child.. It was really rewarding. We make over 500 lanterns in the public workshops.” The workshops are a chance for anyone to have a hands-on part in the magic of the carnival procession.

There are four public workshops taking place over four weekends leading up to the festival, each with a different lantern in keeping with the carnival theme, and a different level of difficulty. “This year we’ve got a fish, an icicle, a star and a penguin lantern. The penguin and the fish are slightly harder.”

Participants will be able to build their own lantern to join in the parade on the 22nd of June, and take home afterwards. Materials and trained instructors are covered by a $10 fee. However, one workshop this year is different: the Star lanterns created at the Meridian Mall workshop will instead be used for a glowing decorative display in the Octagon.

This year’s theme is ‘The Never Ending Night’ and will focus on the magic, wildlife and vastness of the world’s southernmost continent, Antarctica. Artistic Director Hannah Johnston said that the Carnival will bring “beautiful wildlife, mysterious creatures and colourful characters” to Dunedin’s street. “Given the fragile state of Antarctica’s environment and ecosystem, now is a great time to learn about and celebrate this beautiful, desolate continent.”

Registrations are open now and can be submitted at midwintercarnival.co.nz/register/

Workshop 1: Fish - 25 & 26 May, 10am-4pm (two hour sessions starting every hour until 2pm). Venue: Otago Museum, Difficulty: Moderate.

Workshop 2: Icicle - 1 & 2 June, 10am-4pm (two hour sessions starting every hour until 2pm). Venue: Ocean Beach Scout Hall, Difficulty: Easy.

Workshop 3: Star - 8 & 9 June, 9am-5pm (Sessions start every half hour between 9am-12noon and 2pm-5pm). Venue: Meridian Mall, Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

NOTE: The lanterns made will be used in a special display in the Octagon and kept by the Carnival. Entry is instead by koha/donation.

Workshop 4: Penguin - 15 & 16 June, 10am-4pm (two hour sessions starting every hour until 2pm). Venue: Community Gallery, Difficulty: Moderate

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