Now in it’s eighteenth year, the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival returns to Leeds next month with the theme of ‘Playful City’.
The streets of Leeds will be transformed into an incredible illuminated playground when Light Night returns to the city this October.
Across Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October 2022 from 18:30 to 22:00, more than 50 breathtaking light installations, dynamic projections and spectacular interactive artworks are set to wow thousands of visitors to the highly anticipated, annual cultural event.
This years theme is ‘Playful City’ which will invite visitors to engage and interact with the city in exciting, new and innovate ways. Iconic Leeds landmarks and locations will host jaw-dropping illuminations and installations, from The Queen’s Hotel to the Leeds Art Gallery.
Here’s where you can find all the incredible pieces of art work and captivating performances by local, national and international artists around the city.
Millennium Square Zone
There are five beautiful art pieces to view in this zone, the most unmissable being the Leeds Civic Hall paying homage to the classic video games of the 1980s. Visitors can take control of a high tech augmented reality experience, played out across the historic building’s impressive façade.
Headrow Zone
The Headrow will welcome three installations and if you’ve got a competitive streak in you, head to The Light where you can try your luck and skill as you compete against each other at the Kosmo-Lounge.
Briggate Zone
Spark! are returning to Light Night Leeds to take you on an otherworldly adventure with a mesmerising mix of music, movement and mayhem. Head to Trinity where you’ll be immersed in an electrifying experience with live music, choreography and a visual spectacle of light and colour. On top of this, there’s three other experiences in this zone for you to enjoy as well.
Victoria Zone
Three instillations are in this zone, outside Victoria Gate you will find an incredible structure entitled House of Cards, created by Israeli artists OGE Group, it will be made up of 128 beautiful light boxes, each taking the form of a playing card which will light up in sequence.
This is a spectacle not to be missed, the eye-catching creation will appear different when viewed from various angles, looking like a modern church from one side and like a classical structure of building blocks from the other.
Town Hall Zone
There’s a whopping five instillations to feast your eyes on around the Town Hall, from activities for all the family to enjoy at the Henry Moore institute to part of the Leeds Art Gallery being transformed into an LED aquarium. Everywhere you look you’ll be bowled over by the magnificent power of light, colour and music.
SOYO Zone (Quarry Hill)
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled and look up when around Quarry Hill as you don’t want to miss out on the ‘Goofs’ hanging out on the roof of Leeds Bus Station. The friendly, inflatable creatures will give visitors entering the city a cheery welcome as they explore a further six artworks dotted around this area.
Wellington Place Zone
Who can resist some free UV face paint? If you’re looking to really embrace the Light Night way of life, then head to the Family Friendly Fun area at Wellington Place. Get your face painted and catch a beautiful performance by the LED Winged Ballerinas, a stunning, choreographed ballet performance incorporating light and movement, at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm.
Here you can also view the Zauberin des Mondes, a modern take on the enchanting Rapunzel Tower which tells the quest of a character through impossible architectures, placed under the protection of the mysterious and luminous figure of the Moon.
Station Zone
Taking this year’s festival to another level, a thrilling large scale projection of a futuristic, digital rollercoaster ride will be taking over The Queen’s Hotel. Be prepared to take a trip into the future for the night with this dynamic, innovative and multi-sensory experience.
South Bank Zone
With eight instillations to visit, this is the busiest zone in the city. Outside The Tetley you will find ‘Affinity’, a large-scale immersive interactive light and sound installation created by Australian artists Amigo & Amigo. Inspired by the human brain, each light globe represents a neuron and connection in the brain.
Outside the Centre
Surrounding the centre are eight spectacles welcoming you into the city, including an immersive and playful light installation in the historic setting of Bramley Baths. Here you can experience a swim like no other, as a cloud of colour and light hovers over the waters of the pool, creating an ever changing and surreal environment as you move through the water. Booking for this unique experience is essential and can be done here on the Light Night website.
For more information including a full list of all the installations included in Light Night Leeds, take a look at their website.
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Feature image – Leeds City Council
