Light Night Leeds, the UK’s largest light art festival, is set to dazzle the city on October 24 and 25, 2024, from 6pm to 10pm, marking its spectacular 20th anniversary. With captivating interactive installations, live street theatre, and stunning projections—like the mesmerizing ‘Monad’ at Leeds Dock—this vibrant celebration promises to unite the community through the transformative power of art, drawing in visitors from around the globe.
What is Light Night Leeds and when is it taking place?
Light Night Leeds is the UK’s largest light art festival, celebrating 20 years of innovative light artistry. Scheduled for October 24 and 25, 2024, from 6pm to 10pm, it will feature interactive installations, live street theatre, and large-scale projections across the city, drawing visitors globally and enhancing the local economy. Visit Light Night Leeds for more details.
Celebrating Two Decades of Illuminated Artistry
Leeds, a city already known for its vibrant cultural scene, is set to reach new luminous heights as it prepares for the 20th edition of Light Night Leeds. Scheduled for October 24 and 25, the event promises to bathe the city in the glow of innovative light art. For twenty years, Light Night Leeds has been a beacon of creativity, attracting over 1.1 million visitors. Its reputation as the UK’s largest light art festival is well-deserved, with last year’s festivities drawing a record-breaking crowd of 200,000 people and boosting the local economy by an estimated £3.5 million. This year’s landmark event promises to continue this brilliant tradition, showcasing an enthralling mix of live street theatre, interactive installations, and large-scale projections.
The festival’s success over the past two decades is a testament to the city’s commitment to the arts. This year, the celebration is amplified with a lineup featuring both new and returning artists from across the globe. The event is not only a delight for the eyes but also serves as a platform for international artists to present their work. Among the highlights is the mesmerizing ‘Monad’ by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen, a large-scale projection inspired by the cyclical nature of the universe, set to animate the waters at Leeds Dock with both light and sound. Visitors can also look forward to ‘Parallels’ by Architecture Social Club, a dazzling display of multi-colored laser beams accompanied by an electronic soundscape near the newly inaugurated Aire Park.
The Magical Menagerie of Light and Motion
As the city gears up for this year’s Light Night Leeds, a plethora of performances are set to captivate audiences of all ages. Street performances are a core part of the Light Night experience, offering up close encounters with the fantastic and the surreal. This year features an impressive lineup including the colossal Ghost Caribou, a creature of grandeur and mystery, the Spark Drummers returning with their rhythmic fire show, and a fire-breathing dragon that promises to leave onlookers in awe. The interactivity extends to ‘MAPP’ by the Dutch duo AlexP, where participants’ silhouettes mingle with vibrant images and patterns, all emanating from a quaint, vintage pram.
Artworks will adorn various corners of the city, turning familiar landmarks into canvases for light and imagination. The Queens Hotel is set to be the backdrop for an enchanting installation, details of which will be revealed in the weeks to come. These attractions are not mere spectacles but are crafted to encourage community engagement, offering families a chance to create enduring memories. They exemplify the essence of Light Night Leeds – a fusion of art and public space that transforms the cityscape into an open-air gallery under the stars.
A City United by Light and Culture
The anticipation for Light Night Leeds is palpable, with Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, expressing her excitement. “Light Night is always one of the most anticipated and popular events in the city’s cultural calendar,” Councillor Arif states. She emphasizes the event’s significance, not just as a celebration of art but as a unifying force for the community, demonstrating the transformative power of culture. The event’s growth over the years stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when arts and culture are embraced as vehicles for community building and urban vitality.
Leeds City Council eagerly anticipates the influx of visitors for what is set to be a memorable milestone event for the city. With the festivities taking place from 6pm to 10pm on October 24 and 25, 2024, the event offers a rare opportunity to see Leeds in a different light, quite literally. For those eager to learn more about this year’s programme and to stay informed on upcoming announcements, the official Light Night Leeds website and its social media channels are the go-to sources for the latest information. This event is more than just a showcase of artistic talent; it’s a celebration of the spirit of Leeds and the community’s collective passion for culture and innovation.
Visit Home – Light Night and follow Light Night Leeds on social media for more information.
- Light Night Leeds, the UK’s largest light art festival, will celebrate its 20th anniversary on October 24 and 25, 2024, from 6pm to 10pm.
- The festival will feature interactive installations, live street theatre, and large-scale projections, including the highlight ‘Monad’ by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen.
- Over the past two decades, Light Night Leeds has attracted more than 1.1 million visitors and generated an estimated £3.5 million for the local economy.
- This year’s lineup includes both new and returning artists, showcasing a variety of performances such as the Ghost Caribou and the Spark Drummers.
- Leeds City Council views the event as a vital cultural celebration that unites the community and enhances the city’s vibrant arts scene.