Lake of Lights

On Sunday, 14 December 2025, Canoe Lake in Southsea will become something quietly extraordinary: a place where remembrance glows softly on the water and a community gathers without fuss, without pressure, and without needing the perfect words.

Rowans Hospice is inviting everyone to the Lake of Lights, a peaceful evening event running from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, where people can light a candle in memory of someone they miss. As the flames gently drift across the lake, the water transforms into a shimmering tribute, one that feels both intimate and shared, like a collective exhale in the middle of a busy season.

A simple act, a powerful meaning

There’s something profoundly human about this idea. Christmas can be loud with celebration, but it can also bring a quiet ache. The Lake of Lights creates space for both truths at once. It doesn’t ask anyone to perform grief or explain love. It simply offers a moment to remember.

The evening is open to everyone, whether or not they have been supported by Rowans Hospice. That matters. It’s a reminder that care isn’t just clinical, it’s communal. This event is part of Light Up a Life, a beloved tradition held by hospices across the country during the festive season. It acknowledges that remembrance isn’t separate from celebration; often, it sits right beside it.

Supporting Rowans Hospice

Candles will be available to purchase on the night for a suggested donation, with all funds raised directly supporting Rowans Hospice. It’s a gentle, meaningful way to contribute one small flame at a time towards the compassionate care the hospice provides to families across the region.

Importantly, the event is free to attend, and no registration is necessary. You can simply arrive, take in the atmosphere, and participate in whatever way feels right.

What to expect on the evening

Expect calm, reflection, and a sense of togetherness that doesn’t demand social energy. The setting does a lot of the emotional work for you: water, light, winter air, and the soft presence of others who understand the shape of missing someone.

For practical comfort:

• Snacks and refreshments will be available to purchase from Canoe Lake Café.

• Warm, comfortable clothing is strongly recommended—December evenings by the water are rarely subtle.

If you can’t attend

Not everyone can make it to Canoe Lake on the night, and Rowans Hospice has thoughtfully included another option. You can still honour someone you love by making a dedication on the Light Up a Life Dedication Wall. Donations of any size help, and the gesture carries the same spirit: love remembered, life honoured, care supported.

A Southsea night worth holding onto

The Lake of Lights isn’t about grand speeches or big spectacle. It’s about something softer and, in many ways, braver: showing up with your memories and letting them exist in the open air, among others doing the same.

For anyone who finds December emotionally complicated or for anyone who simply wants to mark a life with tenderness. This is a beautiful way to do it.

Support Rowans Hospice Today!