The month of December is here which means that the Cultural Development Foundation is making final preparations for the festivals which form part of the annual end of year celebrations. The December Festivals are a series of three traditional and historical festivals which bring Saint Lucians together in the spirit of community through the showcasing of artistic creativity, with light at the core; the Lantern Festival, the Festival of Carols and the Festival of Light.
The Lantern Festival commences with a series of training workshops in which participants are taught the skills of lantern-making. This year, the skills training sessions took place from November 5th to December 1st at the Bocage and Micoud Secondary Schools, Boys’ Training Centre and Vide Bouteille Primary School. Facilitators included Shawn Francis, Perry Martial, Dudley DuBoulay and Chichita Jn. Marie. The workshops culminate with the Lantern Competition which takes place this coming Saturday December 3rd at the National Cultural Centre from 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to come witness creativity at its finest, when juniors and seniors will put their luminous creations up for judging in the traditional, national and contemporary categories. Participants 17 years and under are adjudged in the junior division while anyone 18 years or older will be considered a senior. Participants are awarded with special consideration given to the skill level employed in the creations. Pre-judging will take place between 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on competition day. Interested individuals are invited to register for the Lantern Competition by calling the CDF on 457- 9021 by 4:00 p.m. on Friday 2nd December. 
On Sunday December 4th, chorales, choirs and soloists will congregate at the Sacred Heart Church, Marchand from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. for the annual Festival of Carols. It promises to be a night not to be missed as Just Us, several choirs including those from the Cathedral, Ave Maria Primary School, Gros Islet Parish and Babonneau, raise their voices in harmonious and festive singing. Other special musical renditions will also be performed by the Gros Islet Parish Youth Orchestra and the Marchand Youth Orchestra, among others.
The Festival of Light Ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 12th, at the Derek Walcott Square from 7:30 p.m. Participants in the Lantern Competition will parade the streets of Castries with illuminated lanterns into the Derek Walcott Square where winners will be announced and prizes awarded. The night’s activities will encapsulate Christmas traditions; highlighted and celebrated through a theme production topped off with a pyrotechnic display of lights and fireworks.