From the 3-6 March we’re going to be illuminating the city after dark as Light Up Leicester returns! The first event, held in 2020, saw a number of artworks around the city enjoyed by visitors to the city.

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This year it’s bigger and better, with 9 major artworks by some of the world’s leading light-artists available to view and interact with over four days. These impressive artworks will transform the city into a playful theatre for everyone.

So what’s going on?

Jubilee Square will be transformed into a glowing wild garden, as this installation plays with the relationship between wild spaces and urban city life. Detour through St Peter’s Square in the Highcross shopping centre for Pulse, a large-scale experiment in light and sound, with a huge tunnel of rings forming an immersive experience.

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Take a walk down Silver Street for a playful twist on the urban mystery of ‘shoe tossing’ before you experience the story of Reggae Sound System culture in Green Dragon Square. Distant Drums transports you from the blues parties of Highfields to the lyrical flow of legendary sound clashes.

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From there head to Town Hall Square where you can experience the explosive Pyrophones, a sound a fire installation which creates exhilarating sonic rhythms as balls of fire burst into the air. Cut back up Granby Street to where Our Beating Heart will bathe the Clock Tower with the glittering light of a giant heart shaped mirror ball.

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Then up Humberstone Gate you will see and hear the Luminosi Trees, like giant jellyfish or palm trees, which will lead you towards Orton Square, where three giant illuminated figures will stun your senses. Inspired by the classic film Fantastic Planet, these will blow your mind. You can finish your journey in St George’s Churchyard where the Mycelium Network represents the way fungi help to manage nutrients in the soil to create a rich and fertile planet.

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Get involved!

While Light Up Leicester will transform the city with its illuminations, we want you to join in and make the nights even more colourful! You could bring along glow sticks or your own lights, decorate your dog or bling up your bike! Get some ideas with the Lighting the Way online workshop.

Throughout the events, Beta X (72 Church Gate) will become The Light Cafe, and will be showing light works by local artists Andy Harper & Leonie DuBarry-Gurr, Joe Moran, Paul Mazzitelli, Tony Coleman, and Sean Clark. They’re also hosting light sculptures made by pupils at local schools and workshops.

And don’t forget to grab £5 credit for Leicester’s e-bikes so you can explore the trail by bike. These are available for the first 200 applicants via the Ride On UK app, using the code LUL2022.

Light Up Leicester is presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester and ArtReach, and has been made possible by the support of Arts Council England.