A popular festival will be back lighting up Ely communities this November as Window Wanderland returns for its fourth year. 

The Window Wanderland festival has been a part of UK communities since 2015, with over 25,000 windows decorated across the nation in hundreds of events.  

The city of Ely has been part of this for the past three years and will be hosting its fourth event this year with the backing of The Stained Glass Museum and Babylon ARTS. 

The festival encourages Ely residents and businesses to transform the streets by making an illuminated window display. 

Window Wanderland is a fun family-friendly event that sees communities create illuminated displays in windows. People can use the street-facing windows of their home, business, school, nursery, car, shop, or even their front door.  

Ely Standard: The city of Ely has been part of this for the past three years and will be hosting its fourth event this year. The city of Ely has been part of this for the past three years and will be hosting its fourth event this year. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)

A map showing the locations of illuminated window displays is then created to form an after-dark walking trail and community event, transforming local streets into galleries. 

Ely’s first Window Wanderland was held in October 2020. Since then, more than 350 homes and businesses have now participated in this event, lighting up their windows with some amazing creative displays.  

Feedback from last year’s event was 'fantastic', and was enjoyed by all ages, so The Stained Glass Museum and Babylon ARTS are delighted to bring the event back for it’s fourth year. 

This year, Ely’s Window Wanderland will take place over three evenings - Friday 3, Saturday 4, and Sunday November 5. 

Everyone is encouraged to get involved by illuminating their street-facing windows between 5pm and 9pm, creating an after-dark walking trail of glowing windows.  

Ely Standard: The festival encourages Ely residents and businesses to transform the streets by making an illuminated window display. The festival encourages Ely residents and businesses to transform the streets by making an illuminated window display. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)

Organisers are conscious though of the ongoing energy crisis, and are encouraging participants to use solar or battery powered lights where they can to illuminate their windows after dark. 

Director and Curator at The Stained Glass Museum, Jasmine Allen, said: “We were so impressed at the amazing and creative window displays the people of Ely created for last year’s event, and we would love to get even more people involved in this year’s event.  

"Taking part is free and the event over the last three years has been so enjoyable for children and adults alike!” 

If you’re planning on transforming a window for Ely Window Wanderland please sign up on the Window Wanderland event page: www.windowwanderland.com/event/ely-cambs-2023/ so that a map can be created of participants on the website. 

Ely Standard: Ely’s first Window Wanderland was held in October 2020. Since then, more than 350 homes and businesses have now participated in this event.Ely’s first Window Wanderland was held in October 2020. Since then, more than 350 homes and businesses have now participated in this event. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)

Jasmine added: “Then get planning your window display! If you have any questions, please refer them to: elywindowwanderland@gmail.com, also you can follow us @WindowWanderEly on social media to keep up to date. 

“Thank you to the City of Ely Council for their generous grant which allows events such as Window Wanderland to continue.” 

For ideas and inspiration explore #WindowWanderlandEly online or go to the Window Wanderland website: https://www.windowwanderland.com/gallery/.For tips go to: https://www.windowwanderland.com/make/.

Ely Standard: This year, Ely’s Window Wanderland will take place over three evenings - Friday 3, Saturday 4, and Sunday November 5. This year, Ely’s Window Wanderland will take place over three evenings - Friday 3, Saturday 4, and Sunday November 5. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)

Here are some of the nice things Ely residents have said about previous Window Wanderland events in the city: 

  • "Such a brilliant idea! Great to get involved in, to view the work of others too, to get families out walking together, & encourages a feeling of belonging to our community!” 
  • "Was a really lovely event, thoroughly enjoyed it and it was accessible and appropriate for all ages - brilliant!” 
  • "This was a fantastic event! The opportunity to do something as a community was wonderful and uplifting … The variety of window displays was truly inspirational and we would love to see this added to the list of regular annual events in Ely” 
  • "I thoroughly enjoyed taking part and, as a new resident, it was lovely to explore lots of new-to-me areas of Ely too. What a wonderful community! 

Ely Standard: Everyone is encouraged to get involved by illuminating their street-facing windows between 5pm and 9pm, creating an after-dark walking trail of glowing windows.Everyone is encouraged to get involved by illuminating their street-facing windows between 5pm and 9pm, creating an after-dark walking trail of glowing windows. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)

Ely Standard: Feedback from last year’s event was fantastic, and was enjoyed by all ages.Feedback from last year’s event was fantastic, and was enjoyed by all ages. (Image: The Stained Glass Museum)