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
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
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
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
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.
Where: Leeds Civic Hall, Millennium Square, LS1 1UR
When: Thursday and Friday, 7pm-10pm
The Spark Drummers at Trinity Leeds
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
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
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
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
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
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
To find out more about this wonderful event, take a look at Light Night Leeds’ website.
Featured image – Light Night Leeds
