It's that time of year again when we welcome people to come together at our annual Winter Lights services and events to remember precious babies gone too soon.
Sands volunteers organise support and remembrance events to provide peace and comfort to parents, siblings and anyone else affected by pregnancy or baby loss. Winter Lights events are an opportunity to come together as a community and remember your baby at a time of year that can be filled with cultural and religious celebrations.
We call these events Winter Lights to symbolise the moments we often share across winter, and using light as a sign of hope and remembrance. They are special moments and we warmly welcome you to join us at an event near you.
Our volunteer designed and organised Winter Lights services and events take place across the country, are free of charge and everyone is welcome.
This year, volunteers are organising Christmas tree festivals, wreath making, origami decoration crafting, other types of crafting and decorating, candle and Diya events, as well as gatherings around food, and Lights of Love services. Please find your local event or service below.
Local Winter Lights:
If there isn’t an event near you and you’d like support to organise one for parents and loved ones in your area, please contact us. We can support you with ideas and resources to create a peaceful event for families. Email volunteering@sands.org.uk
Stockport - Sunday, 16 November
Stockport Sands Christmas decoration making workshop
Where: High Lane Library, Buxton Rd, High Lane, Stockport SK6 8DX
When: Sunday, 16 November 14:00 - 16:00
For more information please contact stockport@sandsvolunteer.org.uk
Dumfries - Saturday, 22 November
Dumfries & Galloway Sands tag making for the Christmas service
Where: Locharbriggs Community Centre, Auchencrieff Rd N, Locharbriggs, Dumfries DG1 1UZ
When: Saturday, 22 November 12:00 - 14:00
All craft products will be provided.
Oxford - Sunday, 23 November
Oxfordshire Sands Annual Remembrance Service
Where: St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 115 Headley Way, Oxford OX3 7SS
When: Sunday, 23 November 13:30 - 15:00
Oxfordshire Sands Annual Remembrance Service.
Please join us as we remember our babies.
A small service in the church followed by refreshments.
Newport - Tuesday, 25 November
An Evening with Adele Parks
Where: Le Pub, 14 High St, Newport NP20 1FW
When: Tuesday, 25 November from 19:30
Adele Parks MBE is an English women's fiction author. She has written 24 novels in her 24-year career as an author and is one of the bestselling authors of women's fiction in the United Kingdom.
She is kindly coming to do a talk about her life and books to help us raise money. The talk coincides with her 25th book being released, and the tickets will include a signed copy of this new book and a small goody bag. Book your place.
Shipley - Thursday, 27 November
Christmas Memory Making with Bradford Sands
Where: Salt Pots Ceramic Studio, 97 Bingley Rd, Saltaire, Shipley BD18 4SB
When: Thursday, 27 November 19:00 - 21:00
Please note that places are limited and must be booked. To book your place visit: https://square.link/u/69ZjZSmk
Doncaster - Thursday, 27 November
Doncaster Lights of Love
Where: Church of the Good Shepherd, Church Balk, Edenthorpe, Doncaster DN3 2PP
When: Thursday, 27 November from 18:30
Bangor - Monday, 1 December
North Down Sands Lights of Love service
Where: West Church, 91 Crawfordsburn Rd, Bangor BT19 1BG
When: Monday, 1 December
This is a gentle service for families and families to remember their babies. Carols, poems and readings.
Guests are invited to bring a present to remember their baby. These will be gratefully received by Prison Fellowship NI.
Refreshments will be served after the service.
All very welcome.
Belfast - Wednesday, 3 December
Belfast Sands Lights of Love
Where: St Jude's Parish Church, 340 Ormeau Rd, Ormeau, Belfast BT7 2GE
When: Wednesday, 3 December
Glasgow - Wednesday, 3 December
Glasgow Sands and Sands United Glasgow Lights of Love service
Where: Church of the Immaculate Conception, 2049 Maryhill Rd, Glasgow G20 0AA
When: Wednesday, 3 December from 19:00
We would like to invite you and your families along to our Lights of Love Service and afterwards in the Parish Hall for teas, coffees and treats.
This is a wonderful opportunity to quietly come together at Christmas time, to remember our precious babies gone too soon.
Worcester - Thursday, 4 December
Worcester Sands Christmas Tree Festival
Where: Worcester Cathedral, College Yard, Worcester WR1 2LA
When: Thursday, 4 December until Tuesday, 6 January
Christmas Tree festival. Worcester Sands will have their own tree where parents can leave a tag on the tree with a message to their baby/babies.
https://www.worcestercathedral.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-tree-festival-2025
Strabane - Thursday, 4 December
Lights of Love service
Where: Church of the Immaculate Conception, 44 Barrack St, Strabane BT82 8HD
When: Thursday, 4 December from 18:30
Brighstone - Thursday, 4 December
Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival by Isle of Wight Sands
Where: Brighstone and Shorwell Methodist Church, 2 Wilberforce Rd, Brighstone, Newport PO30 4BD
When: Thursday, 4 - Sunday, 7 December 10:00 - 17:00
Dundee - Thursday, 4 December
Baby and children’s memorial service to be held in Dundee
Where: The Chaplaincy Centre, University of Dundee, Cross Row, Dundee DD1 4HN
When: Thursday, 4 December 19:00 start
Parents, families and relatives who have experienced the death of a baby or child are invited to join for a Time of Remembrance and Moment of Reflection next week in Dundee.
The event will be held on Thursday 4 December at 7.30pm at Dundee University, Chaplaincy Centre.
The Baby and Children’s Memorial Service has been organised by the Department of Spiritual Care in conjunction with NHS Tayside’s Maternity & Neonatal Bereavement Support Team, Tayside Sands Alternative Dundee Counselling and Itty Bitty Baby Things for Angel Wings Support Group.
The service will include music, readings, poetry and the lighting of candles, in loving memory of those who have died.
Stirling - Friday, 5 December
Forth Valley Sands Lights of Love
Where: St Mary's Church, Upper Bridge Street, Stirling FK8 1ES
When: Friday, 5 December 19:30 - 21:00
The service consists of traditional carols, inspiring readings and beautiful music and there will also be an opportunity for people to light a candle in memory of their child and write a message to hang on the Christmas tree.
For more information, please visit the Forth Valley Sands Facebook page.
Cardiff - Friday, 5 December
Cardiff and Newport Sands Lights of Love service
Where: Church of Saint John the Evangelist, St John's Cres, Cardiff CF5 1NX
When: Friday, 5 December from 19:00
Join us at the Church of St John's the Evangelist, Canton at 7pm on Friday 5th December for our Lights of Love Christmas service.
Together we will light candles and remember our babies with love during this special time of year.
Forever part of Christmas, Forever part of us.
Guernsey - Friday, 5 December
Lights of Love service.
Where: St Saviour's Parish Church, Les Buttes, St Saviour GY8 0DS
When: Friday, 5 December 19:30 - 21:00
Our annual Lights of Love service is held for parents, families and friends to remember their babies who have died. The services are family friendly evenings of traditional carols, reading and musical performances. All services are free to attend.
At the service parents and families will have the opportunity to write a message in memory of their baby and hang it on a special Christmas tree. You are welcome to arrive a few minutes early to do this.
Norwich - Friday, 5 December
Norfolk Sands Lights of Love
Where: GreenAcres Living Memorial Park, Watton Rd, Norwich NR4 7TY
When: Friday, 5 December 18:30 - 20:00
You are warmly invited to our annual Lights of Love Christmas service. Buy your tickets here.
Join us to remember our much loved and much missed babies.
Our 2025 Lights of Love service will again be taking place at Colney Greenacres Living Memorial Park, Watton Road, Norwich, NR4 7TY. There is free car parking available on site.
Please arrive for 6.30pm ready for a 7pm start time. We will be serving light festive refreshments (mince pies and biscuits). We anticipate the event will finish by 8pm.
As in previous years we will be collecting donation for Project Shoebox, a local charity that supplies clothes, toiletries, toys and books to women, men and children fleeing domestic violence. If you would like to donate, we suggest that you provide a gift for the age your child would have been. However all items are gratefully received.
If you are unable to attend in person we will be streaming the event, so please do book a ticket and we will send you the streaming link before the day.
Clacton-on-Sea - Sunday, 7 December
Clacton-on-Sea Sands Lights of Love
Where: Pier Avenue Baptist Church, 117 Pier Ave, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1NJ
When: Sunday, 7 December 15:00 - 17:00
As the end of the year approaches, we are offering a space to remember all precious babies gone too soon. This Lights of Love service will be held at The Baptist Church, Pier Avenue, Clacton on Sea at 3pm. All are welcome to this beautiful event of songs, led by Harwich Sing Tendring Voices Choir, readings and a chance to light a candle and add a tag of remembrance to our Clacton on Sea Sands Memory Christmas Tree in memory of your baby.
We hope the service of readings and music will offer a sense of peace, comfort and hope to those joining.
This is NOT a religious service and is open to anyone affected by baby loss, and all family members. The service begins at 3pm, with coffee/tea & refreshments to be served in the Church afterwards.
Tunbridge Wells - Sunday, 7 December
Tunbridge Wells Sands Christmas Service of Remembrance
Where: Christ Church, High St, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1UT
When: Sunday, 7 December from 16:00
Chelmsford - Sunday, 7 December
Essex Sands Lights of Love service
Where: All Saints Church, Church Chase, Chelmsford CM3 8DR
When: Sunday, 7 December from 15:00
Think this is our 4th Lights of Love service though with different volunteers organising it. Will be held at a Church but will be non religious. We will have a professional singer to do some solos as last year.
Downpatrick - Sunday, 7 December
Downpatrick Sands Lights of Love service
Where: St. Patricks’ Church, 43 St Patricks Ave, Downpatrick BT30 6DN
When: Sunday, 7 December from 19:00
Those attending the service are able to add a special message on the ‘Lights of Love’ Christmas tree in memory of their son or daughter.
Parents are also encouraged to donate a present for the age their child would have been this Christmas, and these will be donated to the local Downpatrick HOMESTART charity.
Birmingham - Sunday, 7 December
Candle and Diya Workshop by Sands
Where: Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
When: Sunday, 7 December 14:00 - 16:00 (please arrive at 1:45pm for registration)
The Light We Carry
A creative and supportive workshop for parents and families affected by pregnancy or baby loss. Come together to make a candle and decorate a diya in memory of babies who are deeply loved and never forgotten, while connecting with others in the baby loss community.
Sands, the pregnancy and baby loss charity, warmly invites parents and families affected by pregnancy or baby loss to a special candle and diya workshop. This workshop is a creative space in which participants can make a candle and decorate a diya in memory of babies who are deeply loved and never forgotten, while connecting with others in the baby loss community.
Following the success of our London candle and diya workshop, we are delighted to bring this event to Birmingham, in collaboration with Seyi and Shaheda, bereaved mums who bring heartfelt lived experiences from both African and Caribbean and South Asian communities.
All materials will be provided, everyone is welcome, but spaces are limited, so please book early to secure your place.
Omagh - Sunday, 7 December
Lights of Love service
Where: Clogherney Presbyterian Church, 32 Church Rd, Beragh, Omagh BT79 0UR
When: Sunday, 7 December from 19:30
Bedford - Sunday, 7 December
Bedfordshire Sands Lights of Love
Where: St Andrew's Church, Kimbolton Rd, Bedford MK40 2PF
When: Sunday, 7 December 16:00
The service will include music, readings, candle lighting and personalised baubles to hang on our remembrance tree. Family and friends are very welcome.
Stockport - Sunday, 7 December
Stockport Sands Wreath Making
Where: High Lane Library, Buxton Rd, High Lane, Stockport SK6 8DX
When: Sunday, 7 December 14:00 - 16:00
Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book please contact stockport@sandsvolunteer.org.uk
Lerwick - Monday, 8 December
Shetland Sands Lights of Love
Where: Holy Trinity Church, New Rd, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3JJ
When: Monday, 8 December 18:00 - 20:00
Remembrance service followed by tea, coffee and home bakes.
Shetland Sands befrienders will be attending should anyone need any support.
We will have a remembrance tree where everyone can hand a star in memory of their loved ones.
Bedford - Tuesday, 9 December
Bedfordshire Sands Wreath Making Workshop
Where: Howbury Hall, Bedford MK41 0JB
When: Tuesday, 9 December 19:00 - 21:00
Places are limited and must be booked in advance here.
Dumfries - Thursday, 11 December
Dumfries & Galloway Sands Christmas service
Where: St Francis Church, Upper Chobham Road, Frimley GU15 1EE
When: Sunday, 14 December from 14:00
Huddersfield - Friday, 12 December
Huddersfield and Halifax Sands Lights of Love
Where: St. Thomas' Church, 7 Manchester Rd, Huddersfield HD1 3HU
When: Friday, 12 December from 19:00
Annual Lights of Love service
Barnstaple - Saturday, 13 December
North Devon Sands Baby Remembrance service
Where: St John the Baptist Church, 37 South St, Barnstaple EX32 9DT
When: Saturday, 13 December from 14:00
North Devon Sands and the chaplaincy from the hospital would love to see you at this year’s service on 13th December. Please bring a flower to contribute to a shared arrangement. Refreshments will be available afterwards.
Fife - Saturday, 13 December
Fife Sands Christmas service
Where: The Old Kirk, Kirk Wynd, Kirkcaldy KY1 1EN
When: Saturday, 13 December from 14:00
Southampton - Saturday, 13 December
Southampton Sands Christmas crafts
Where: My Pottery, 1st Floor (Next to Costa Coffee), Marlands, Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7SJ
When: Saturday, 13 December from 14:00
Join Southampton Sands for a pottery painting session this December in central Southampton! Paint something in memory of your angel baby, something Christmassy or any item you wish in the company of other parents who know how hard this time of year can be.
You are free to paint whatever you wish from the selection in the studio, items range from £15 - £35 (including glazing and firing fees) but there will be a £10 discount for the first 12 painters to book onto the event using the following link: https://forms.gle/zG6BuRrpmzfevCko6
Artwork will be available to be collected by you around a week after the event directly from the store. Tea, coffee and soft drinks are available to purchase at the venue. Children are welcome at this event
Hitchin - Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 December
North Herts Sands tree as part of the Hitchin Christmas tree festival
Where: Holy Saviour Church, Radcliffe Rd, Hitchin SG5 1QG
When: Saturday, 13 and Sunday, 14 December 12:00 - 18:00
Bristol - Sunday, 14 December
Bristol Sands Lights of Love
Where: St Mary Redcliffe Church, 12 Colston Parade, Bristol BS1 6RA
When: Sunday, 14 December 13:30 - 14:15
Farnborough - Sunday, 14 December
Farnborough Sands Snowflake Memorial Service
Where: St Francis Church, Upper Chobham Road, Frimley GU15 1EE
When: Sunday, 14 December from 14:00
Aberdeen - Sunday, 14 December
Aberdeen Sands Christmas service
Where: ARI Pink Zone, Foresterhill Health Campus, Foresterhill Rd, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN
When: Sunday, 14 December, 10.30am quiet service, 11.30am family service
Refreshments will be served following both services.
Northampton - Sunday, 14 December
Northamptonshire Sands Christmas tree remembrance service
Where: Northampton High School, Hardingstone, Northampton NN4 6UU
When: Sunday, 14 December from 14:30
A time to remember all our babies loved and lost and for all who are suffering the loss of a child, recently or many years ago
Please bring a decoration to hang on the Christmas Tree in their memory
If you require further details please contact Northamptonshire Sands Support Group On 07907 836050
Hertford - Thursday, 18 December
East Herts Sands Lights of Love
Where: Holy Trinity Church, New Rd, Bengeo, Hertford SG14 3JJ
When: Thursday, 18 December from 19:00
We’re delighted to invite you all to our annual Lights of Love Service. We know how Christmas can be a difficult time for many of us, a time full of different emotions. We therefore want to have the opportunity to gather together to remember our special babies. We will be singing songs, carols, reading poems. We’ll hang our messages to our babies on the Christmas tree and will light a candle to remember them.
At the end of the service you’re welcome to stay for a cup of tea and a mince pie.