Southern Edge Arts
Circus - Theatre - Community
Championing the creativity of young people in the Great Southern for 40 years
Carrying the Fire
Albany | 7 November 2026
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A Coastline Alive with Light
Join thousands on the shoreline as Albany-Kinjarling transforms into a living masterpiece of unity and hope.
On the night of Saturday, 7 November 2026, the Great Southern coastline from Emu Point to Binalup/Middleton Beach will glow with the warmth of thousands of handmade lanterns. Initiated, produced, and presented by FORM Building a State of Creativity in collaboration with Creative Producer Southern Edge Arts and Artistic Director Annette Carmichael, Carrying the Fire is a large-scale, community-led participatory artwork celebrating our shared future.
What Do You Carry into Our Shared Future?
Whether you become a lantern leader, carry a hope, or build a lantern and walk along the sand with family and friends, everyone is invited to be part of this unforgettable evening.
How to Get Involved
Join the Procession.
It's important to register for key information.
Bring your lantern and walk the coastline on 7 November 2026 to create a river of light visible around the world. Tell us how far you would like to walk and what kind of terrain suits you (beach, hills, boardwalk etc).
Ten days before the event you will receive your customised instructions that direct you to your entry point and a link to the Carrying the Fire app.
We have created a mobile phone app that controls the torch on your phone to create spectacular patterns that will be filmed from the sky.
Everyone can take part! Free lantern-making workshops are running across Albany and Denmark, featuring designs inspired by symbols of Menang Country. Schools, businesses, and groups can book a session with a Teaching Artist, or you can make a lantern at home using the online Creative Learning Guide.. NO NAKED FLAME ALLOWED. We recommend you use your mobile phone.
Make a lantern
Become a Lantern Leader
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Lead the Way: Guide and inspire groups of Lantern-bearers along assigned sections of the foreshore.
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Be the Connection: Act as the key link between the artistic team and the community participants on event night.
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Celebrate & Create: Help facilitate a safe, vibrant, and collaborative environment for a shared creative journey.
We are seeking 200 people aged 15 years and older, to undertake the role of Lantern Leaders. No prior performance experience needed, you just need to feel comfortable moving your body in a simple way and leading the public (Lantern- Bearers) with a few easy movements and a procession along the beach or boardwalk.
FREE Lantern Making Workshops
Albany
@ Southern Edge Arts
MONDAY 5th October 9:00 - 10:30 am | SEA STAR (recommended age 4-12 yrs)
SATURDAY 10th October 1:30 - 3:30 pm | SEA STAR & BANKSIA (children and caregivers welcome to each make a lantern)
SATURDAY 24th October 1:30pm -3:00pm | BANKSIA Lantern Workshop
SUNDAY 25th October 11:30am -1:00pm | BANKSIA Lantern Workshop
TUESDAY 27th October 9:30am - 11:00am | BANKSIA Lantern Workshop
SATURDAY 31st October 9:30am - 11:30am | SEA STAR & BANKSIA Lantern Workshop (Children and Caregivers welcome to each make a lantern)
SATURDAY 31st October 12:30pm - 2:00pm | BANKSIA Lantern Workshop
SATURDAY 31st October 2:30pm - 4:00pm | BANKSIA Lantern Workshop
Albany
@ The Albany Public Library
THURSDAY 8th October 10:30 am Sea Star (1hr) Recommended age 3-12 Children under 8 will require parent/caregiver assistance.
THURSDAY 8th October 12:30 pm (2hr) | Biyarra Banksia and Sea Star Recommended age 8-18 Children and care givers.
THURSDAY 8th October 5:00 pm (2hr) | Kwornt Suitable for adults and children 8+.
Denmark
@ The Butter Factory Studios
SATURDAY 3rd October 10:00 - 12:00 pm | KWORNT (Suited for participants aged 12 +. Participants under 12 will require assistance from a caregiver)
SATURDAY 10th October 10:00 - 12:00 pm | MOODJAR FLOWER (Suited for participants aged 12 +. Participants under 12 will require assistance from a caregiver)
Everyone is invited to be a Part of Carrying the Fire.
NOTES AND WARNINGS
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This event happens in low light conditions
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The lantern walk occurs on beach sand, paths and wooden board walk - choose the path that suits you best.
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Keep children close - the lantern walk happens near the water
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The event will be filmed from the air by drones. At times, these drones will fly low over the water.
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At the end of the event, small flames will be seen at Middleton Beach - this is intentional and part of the show's end. Do not be alarmed.
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Sound and music will be played throughout the event.
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You can quit the Carrying the Fire app at any time and use your phone. Please reopen the app when you are ready to rejoin the performance.
Photography by Nic Duncan for Southern Edge Arts
The Invitation
Albany-Kinjarling will glow with light and unity on the night of 7 November 2026, as thousands of handmade lanterns illuminate the coastline all the way from Emu Point to Binalup/Middleton Beach. Lamp-bearers will gather along the sand, transforming the foreshore into a breathtaking string of lights: a living, ephemeral artwork captured in footage to be shared worldwide. Carrying the Fire is a participatory event and a large-scale community light event. It asks a simple question: what do you carry into our shared future? It is an invitation for Albany residents and visitors of all ages to come together in a shared creative journey, building a sense of belonging and unity across the Great Southern and beyond. As much a celebration of human cooperation as it is a homage to landscape, this is an event that will leave an unforgettable mark on this place and this moment.
FORM Building a State of Creativity, the creative visionaries behind the breathtaking Field of Light: Avenue of Honour on Mount Clarence, are set to inspire our imaginations once again. This time, they are partnering with Southern Edge Arts to bring another large-scale participatory artwork to Albany.
This ephemeral masterpiece, Carrying the Fire, will be crafted by communities across the Great Southern and beyond, uniting us all in a shared creative journey.
Initiated, produced and presented by FORM, Carrying the Fire is brought to life in collaboration with Creative Producer Southern Edge Arts and Artistic Director Annette Carmichael.
Cultural Foundation
Deeply rooted in place, this community-led project has been developed in consultation with the Albany 2026 Cultural Advice Sub-Committee, co-ordinated by Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation, with Menang cultural consultant and artist Penny Williams central to the creative team from the outset.
Lantern designs by local artists draw on the symbols of Menang Country: the resilient biyarra/banksia, the sheltering kwornt, the regenerative sea star, and the spiritual moodjar/WA Christmas Tree.
Workshops are adapted for all ages and abilities, ensuring everyone has the chance to contribute to this spectacular river of light.
Local artists, arts teachers and community leaders are also invited to register for a Professional Development workshop that will equip you to lead your own lantern making workshops and participate in the final event.
Register your interest in hosting a free lantern-making workshop for your group. Let’s come together to create something beautiful and carry the fire for Albany’s future.
For lantern-leader and workshop enquiries: contact Southern Edge Arts CTF Team,
ctf@southernedge.org.au , 0493 717 689.
For event enquiries: contact FORM,
culturaltourism@form.net.au, 08 9385 2200
Find out more about Albany 2026
Carrying the Fire is initiated, produced and presented by FORM Building a State of Creativity in collaboration with Creative Producer Southern Edge Arts and Artistic Director Annette Carmichael, as part of the Albany 2026 program. Lotterywest is a Major Supporter of the City of Albany 2026 Program. Minderoo Foundation is proud to be the Lead Partner of Carrying the Fire. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.
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