The Valentine lamplighting ceremony
A free public ceremony, held every Valentine’s Day since 1993. People gather from 5.30pm. The ceremony begins at 6pm. Previous ceremonies can be viewed below.
14 February 2027
Look out for further details from December in the local press, this website and social media. Come rain or shine. Dress for an outdoors standing event in February.
What happens
Street entertainers greet people as they arrive from 5.30pm, mulled wine will be available from the doorway of the Deadly is the Female shop. At 6pm the ceremony begins with the town crier speaking words about love. Poems around the themes of love and the lamp are read. The lamplighter, in period costume and carrying a traditional lamplighters pole, reads the dedication to Saint Valentine and then lights the lamp, usually after several attempts. The typical end time is around 6.20pm.
Organised by volunteers as part of the Friends of the Frome Valentine Lamp and funded by donations. If you can help on the night, write to info@fromevalentinelamp.co.uk.
Previous ceremonies
There has been a Valentine lamplighting ceremony every year since 1993. Below are the documented ceremonies since The Friends of the Valentine Lamp took over the ceremonies in 2025.