Telford Day joins a weekend of celebrations in Ironbridge Gorge
Telford Day will be celebrated in Ironbridge Gorge this November as part of a special weekend bringing together community celebrations, Christmas festivities and the start of a year marking 40 years since the Gorge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Taking place from 12 noon to 8pm on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November, the weekend will feature a packed programme of activities, with Telford Day taking place on Sunday 29 November.
Visitors can enjoy a spectacular illuminated trail, live iron casting demonstrations, community lantern displays, live music, festive markets, family entertainment and heritage activities across the two days.
At the heart of the celebrations will be the Telford Day Lantern Garden, showcasing more than 100 lanterns created by communities across the Borough. Inspired by themes including ingenuity, engineering, iron smelting, the River Severn and the landscape of the Gorge, the lanterns have been created through workshops in Lawley, Oakengates, Sutton Hill, Ironbridge and Donnington.
Visitors will also have the chance to see Ironbridge’s industrial heritage brought to life at Dale End Park, where skilled iron founders will prepare moulds, melt iron and carry out live iron pours across the weekend.
On Saturday, the Wharfage will be transformed for a day of festive celebrations, with more than 100 craft, food and drink stalls, a family fairground and live entertainment. The day will culminate in a Christmas Lantern Parade, followed by the Christmas Lights Switch On and a fireworks display.
The celebrations will continue on Telford Day on Sunday, with activities showcasing the traditional skills, heritage and natural environment of the Gorge, before a special evening finale featuring community lanterns, fire performances, live music, illuminated coracles on the River Severn and the final iron pour reveal.
Dale End Park will provide a focal point for live music, food and drink throughout the weekend, with performances from local musicians hosted in the entertainment yurt.
Telford Day is the Borough’s annual celebration of civic pride, with residents across Telford and Wrekin encouraged to fly the official Telford Flag and join in the celebrations.
Councillor Angela McClements, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: “Telford Day is an opportunity for communities across our Borough to come together and celebrate the people, places and stories that make Telford and Wrekin special.
“This year, Telford Day will form part of a special weekend of celebrations in Ironbridge Gorge, alongside the Gorge’s Christmas festivities and the start of a year marking 40 years of UNESCO World Heritage status.
“There will be lots to see and do across the weekend and we’d love to see residents from across the Borough come along, enjoy the celebrations and join us in marking Telford Day.”
A Park & Ride service from Jiggers Bank will operate from 11am to 9pm across the weekend, alongside a shuttle service from Madeley and additional parking at National Trust sites at Blists Hill and Coalbrookdale.
Find out more about Telford Day 2026: www.telford.gov.uk/telfordday