The end of the year with its early sunsets can be a dark and dreary time. Community members are invited to join together and come show their light during the annual Langley Lantern Walk.

The event Friday, Dec. 6 follows a short route, under a mile long, from Healing Circles on Camano Avenue through the Village by the Sea to Soundview Center on Third Street. The lantern walk is hosted by Healing Circle’s Roots of Wellness committee.

As usual, participants can opt to make their own lanterns at home or show up to Healing Circles at 4:30 p.m. and use the materials provided there. The walk begins at 5 p.m.

“We really want this to be a consistent experience for people so that it becomes a ritual, a part of their winter celebrations,” said Shannon Arndt, an organizer and committee member.

Over the years participants have gotten creative with their personal lanterns, from wrapping strings of lights around themselves to carrying light-up umbrellas.

“Anything light-up is fun, welcome,” Arndt said.

Organizers advise against using an actual flame, however. Most people use their phones or a flashlight for their lanterns.

The parade has become a multigenerational event, attracting senior citizens and high school kids alike. Elin Stebbins Waldal, another organizer and the executive director of Healing Circles, said last year people in the downtown restaurants were wowed by the parade.

“This is a dark time of year for us, and to have all these little children and grandparents marching through the town with their little lights brought so much joy to those who actually left their meal to come join us,” she said.

Over 100 people participated last year.

The walk concludes at 5:30 p.m. at Soundview Center, where attendees can enjoy cookies, hot drinks and live music from Randy Hudson and local musicians. New this year, people can enter a raffle to win tickets to the Clyde Theatre or gift certificates from Sprinklz. If people are unable to complete the walk, they are welcome to join the fun afterwards.