Marking its 20th year, Light Night Leeds will return transforming the city into a dazzling array of illuminated artworks.
Light Night Leeds is the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival and will return next Thursday 24 and Friday 25 October 2024, from 6 - 10pm.
Celebrating its 20th year in the city, this year's festival will welcome a mesmerising array of new creations as well as some popular artworks from previous years making a comeback.
With a colossal programme of artworks to view, we've highlighted ten of the best pieces covering all locations which you won't want to miss out on.
Monad at Leeds Dock
Image: Leeds City Council
Created by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen, Monad, 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.
Where: The Dockside, Leeds Dock, LS10 1EG When: Thursday and Friday 6.45-10pm
Parallels at Aire Park
Image: Leeds City Council
Parallels will see thousands of multi-coloured laser beams pulse and flicker overhead to an amazing electronic soundscape.
Inspired by dynamic movement and tones from the natural environment, the stunning artwork is sure to be one of the highlights of this year’s event.
Where: Aire Park, The Tetley, Hunslet Road, LS10 1JQ When: Thursday and Friday 6.30-10pm
The Bookbinder at The Queens Hotel
Image: Leeds City Council
A magical journey into the realm of fiction and fairy tales 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 iconic 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.
Where: Queens Hotel, City Square, LS1 1PJ When: Thursday and Friday, 7pm-10pm. Performance duration: 10min (repeats throughout the evening)
Out of the Aire at Leeds Civic Hall
Image: Leeds City Council
The fantastic Out of the Aire returns after first being shown during a memorable Light Night 2017. With some updated content, the piece celebrates Leeds as a centre of innovation, engineering, sports and the arts.
Featuring Leeds singers and bands, Out of the Aire includes tributes to the testing of rocket powered torpedoes on Waterloo Lake, the world’s first motion picture and the city’s many sporting achievements.
Always one of the most popular performers at Light Night, The Spark Drummers return to Trinity Leeds for what’s sure to be a showstopping spectacle.
A mix of high-impact drumming, stunning costumes and kaleidoscopic lighting design the drummers interacts with the crowd during each performance.
Where: Trinity Leeds Main Atrium, LS1 5AR When: Thursday and Friday: 6pm 7pm, 8pm, 9pm (20min performances)
Dragon Heart Beats at The Royal Armouries
Image: Leeds City Council
Featuring a five metre fire-breathing dragon, this spectacular piece is inspired by carnival from Trinidad and Tobago.
Accompanied by high energy percussion and special fire effects, it’s set to be a magical performance.
Where: Armouries Square, Armouries Drive, LS10 1LT When: Thursday and Friday, 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm. Duration 15 minutes.
NocturnFox: The Silent Observer on Cookridge Street
Image: Leeds City Council
A striking illuminated fox will prowl the city centre, adorned with floral mandalas representing life cycles in nature.
One of a number of illuminated animals that can be spotted at this year’s event, including a giant hedgehog at Leeds Bus Station and two huge glowing owls at the Stourton Park and Ride.
Where: Cookridge Street, LS1 8TL When: Thursday and Friday, 6pm-10pm
Valkyrie at Soyo Square
Image: Leeds City Council
Crafted from recycled plastics, Valkyrie is a huge suspended glowing orb which responds to sound and voices.
Inspired by the Northern Lights, visitors will be able to create their own aurora by speaking into the sculpture, creating new colours to ripple across its surface.
Where: Soyo Square, LS2 7PA When: Thursday and Friday, 6pm-10pm
Ghost Caribou on Briggate
Image: Leeds City Council
A stunning street performance, Ghost caribou features giant illuminated creatures, part caribou, part spirit which roam a mystical world after dark.
With music, song and shadow puppets they tell stories of lost homes, impossible migrations and seeds of hope.
Where: 58 Briggate, LS1 6AS When: Thursday and Friday 6.10pm, 7.35pm and 9pm.
Celestial Sound Cloud at Wellington Place
Image: Leeds City Council
Celestial Sound Cloud is an interactive digital sound and light sculpture inspired by cosmic clouds and nebulas – the clouds of dust and gases in which stars are formed. Underneath the suspended sculpture, you can sing, move or dance to create your own visual and sound experience.
Where: Rose Walk Frames, 5 Wellington Place, LS1 4AP When: Thursday & Friday 6-10pm
It's fantastic news for our city as Leeds has been crowned one of the best cities in the UK for foodies.
It's news that we've been pretty certain of for some time, but it's still nice to be recognised isn't it?
It comes from a new study carried out by credit card brand Aqua who analysed 30 major UK cities across a range of dining and social media metrics, including cuisine variety, restaurant availability, meal affordability, Michelin recognition and TikTok hashtag volumes.
Coming in at number on was, of course, London.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
With 47 cuisines, 22.5 restaurants per 10,000 residents and 81 Michelin-starred establishments, the capital unsurprisingly continues to dominate the UK’s culinary scene.
But in at number two was our glorious city of Leeds, supported by the highest restaurant density in the study, with 38.5 establishments per 10,000 people, and strong affordability compared with cities in the south.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We will absolutely take that.
Other northern spots to feature on the list include Sheffield and Bradford in sixth and eighth place.
The top ten UK cities for foodies are:
London
Leeds
Nottingham
Edinburgh
Wolverhampton / Leicester
Sheffield
Birmingham / Glasgow
Bradford / Swansea
Preston
Milton Keynes
Here in Leeds we've got so many fabulous food spots, with new openings cropping up every month it's hard to keep track.
From the multi award-winning Bavette Bistro in Horsforth to the highly acclaimed indie Bundobust that started off in Leeds - you certainly won't find yourself hungry or at a loss for somewhere to eat here.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Cole LC | March 2026
Thomas Melia
The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – it's time to go 'Rollin' with Cole LC
Leeds' own Cole LC has got very far doing his "little music thing" and has seen him reach all new heights as his upcoming project suggests with its title West Yorkshire to Westend Show
This musician has built a pretty distinctive artistic style that fuses rap, all while making sure his West Yorkshire identity was kept in the forefront.
That's because, all of Cole's visuals have been filmed across the city at some pretty recognisable spots like Kirkgate Market, City Varieties and Belgrave Music Hall.
So far, this local lad has captured the attention of music lovers with songs like 'Westbrook' and 'Your Tings My Ting' both having over one million streams.
Now, Cole LC sits down to talk all about being Audio North's ‘Artist of the Month’ and shares more teasers about his highly-anticipated EP.
An interview with Cole LC - Audio North's Artist of the Month
Audio North's Artist of the Month: Cole LC | March 2026 / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
What can we expect from your upcoming EP?
This is my first big release in quite a while after the release of Favourite Version in 2023 and I've done a lot of growing. I started writing last Summer when I was going through a tough period but it's gone onto create some of my best songwriting stories. It's a one big note to self that I hope helps other people out.
What is it like being a Northern independent artist?
I grew up in Roundhay with my family and Leeds as a city has had a monumental impact on what I do as an artist. By being close to the city centre, it has allowed me to be exposed to different types of music, soaking up all these genres has helped influence what I do now.
How do you think Leeds is shaping the UK music scene?
This city is a big credit to music and it's a testament to the musicians of Leeds having that talent but also being hardworking. It's also about authenticity and that's what we've got. The climate of music in general is very intense and there's lots of competition but the sheer talent here in Leeds makes it impossible for us to go unnoticed.
Cole LC has played a key part in Leeds' music scene / Credit: Supplied via Press shots
Who are some up and coming artists you're checking out?
Ellur and you spell it "Ell-uh" because she's from Bradford. She's an Alt-pop artist who I've been listening to a lot. I've also loved Charlotte Plank, especially her latest single 'crybby blue'. There's even Aaron Rowe who supported Lewis Capaldi.
What does a performance day look like for you?
I don't have a specific routine before a show. Practicing my lyrics is a big one and having a mint tea too.
What is your ultimate dream musically?
I'd love to perform whenever I like and just know people would be there and support me. I'd love the financial freedom to be able not worry and creative new tracks whenever whereever I want. Music is so powerful and speaks to everyone, I want to keep improving my quality and progress.
If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?
Probably Justin Bieber because of how much I love him, he's the greatest of all time, he just is. When I was 14 I was so fuming watching him and seeing how good he is, I thought he'd put be out of a job forever. He has some unreal albums.
What's next for Cole LC?
I can guarantee you new music every single month for 2026. I know a lot of people have been getting in touch regarding a headline show so I'm hoping to organise a gig. I'm also going to make sure I keep the connection with people who enjoy my music whether that's in person or online.
Clementine Hall -
17th October 2024 
