The organisers of Truro's annual City of Lights parade may have a new trick or two embedded up their sleeves this Christmas, as they plan to turn the procession digital.

Many of the city’s iconic landmarks will be lit up in a celebration of technology and craft during Cornwall’s largest lantern festival on Wednesday, November 18, but this year organisers have unveiled a key change to the procession, in that each of the large withy and tissue-paper lanterns will be fitted with a number of digital elements.

Funding from the Arts Council England and Feast has enabled the commission of digital artists Dr James Moore, Alcwyn Parker and Bridgette Ashton, to work with the organisers on a number of technology infused creations.

Digital curator Charlotte Davis said: “With digital being such a large part of the parade this year, there will be a much stronger element of audience participation.

“This can be seen particularly in the schools, where we are encouraging them to document the journey of their lantern creations to create a digital archive using film, time lapses and stories generated by social media."

“We’ve even created an Instagram account, ‘museumofloststories’, to document the lanterns and their stories as they are developed.

“The artists are also working very closely together to incorporate projections and sensors into the parade, so the audience should get ready for a few surprises on the night!”

Now in its 19th year, the event marks the start of the Christmas festivities in Truro and involves 800 children, 20 schools and around 30,000 spectators each year.

Festival co-ordinator Claire Eason-Bassett said: “When we started this event in 1997 the dream was to create a new tradition to applaud and involve the talent of the local community.

“This vision still reigns true, with the choice of our theme this year, Museum of Lost Stories, which keeps the community at the heart of the event, by incorporating lanterns created and inspired by stories from Cornish Archives, County Records and people living in and around the city.”

Entertainment will begin from 5:30pm on Wednesday, November 18 with music ranging from steel bands to sea shanties

Between 6pm and 7pm there will be a new instalment for this year’s event, Windows of Opportunity, where various performers will grace first floor windows along the parade route.

Families with small children are advised to avoid Lemon Quay, Boscawen Street, and Victoria Square which can get very busy.

There are multiple viewing points along the route of the procession, and visitors are advised to spread along the whole route to get the best view.

There will be a ticketed viewing point for disabled visitors on Lower Lemon Street and at the Royal Cornwall Museum on River Street. To reserve a ticket visit www.cityoflights.org.uk

Free community workshops will also take place on Wednesday October 28 at Royal Cornwall Museum from 11am to 3pm and Saturday November 7, where members of the public can contribute to making a lantern.

To book email emma.mansfield@keap.org.uk

To make a donation to this year’s procession or for more information visit www.cityoflights.org.uk