A compelling programme of illuminated artworks will wow crowds in Leeds this month when the dazzling spectacle of Light Night Leeds returns for its landmark 20th edition.
The UK’s largest light art festival, Light Night will be back in Leeds city centre on October 24 and 25, bringing a programme of incredible, large-scale projections, live street theatre and interactive installations to some of the city’s most recognisable buildings and locations.
Over the past two decades, the event has attracted more than 1.1 million visitors to the city, with last year’s Light Night seeing a record 200,000 people attending and generating an estimated £3.5m for the local economy.
In celebration of the 20th edition, this year’s event will feature a mesmerising array of new creations by artists from around the world, with some popular artworks from previous years also returning.
Among the breathtaking installations that will be part of this year’s free, family-friendly programme will be Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen’s stunning Monad, which will be projected onto the water at Leeds Dock. Inspired by the circular nature of life, rebirth and the universe, the piece will be accompanied by a compelling soundscape.
Parallels by Architecture Social Club will see multi-coloured laser beams, which pulse and flicker to a mesmerising electronic soundscape near the new Aire Park, outside The Tetley.
And MAPP, by Dutch duo AlexP will capture the silhouettes of participants in amongst colourful images and patterns, all projected from an old-fashioned pram.
The BookBinder is set to be one of the highly-anticipated cultural event’s most spectacular installations when it is projected onto the façade of the Queens Hotel.
A collaboration with the British Library, the enchanting, large-scale artwork is inspired by their vast collection, and features a stunning, specially commissioned animation and an immersive soundscape.
Artists Illuminos, made up of brothers Rob and Matt Vale, were inspired by the British Library’s Flickr Commons collection, and have scoured its millions of images to create The BookBinder.
This year’s array of live street performances will also feature a giant Ghost Caribou, the return of the ever-popular Spark Drummers and a fire-breathing dragon.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “Light Night is always one of the most anticipated and popular events in the city’s cultural calendar, bringing hundreds of thousands of people and families into the heart of Leeds each year to enjoy what is always a truly magical spectacle.
“The event also exemplifies the power of arts and culture to inspire, capture imaginations and unite people and communities for what is a positive and memorable shared experience.
“Since it began, Light Night has gone from strength to strength, getting bigger and better and making a huge difference to our city. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to celebrate what will be a very special landmark for everyone in Leeds.”
Light Night Leeds 2024 takes place across the city on the October 24 and 25, 2024 from 6pm to 10pm.
Visit Home – Light Night (lightnightleeds.co.uk) and follow Light Night Leeds on social media for more information.
