Light Night is back! On Friday 9th October, for one night only, from 6pm to 11pm Leeds city centre will come alive with spectacular large-scale light projections, installations, exhibitions, film, dance, music and street performances.
Many of the city’s public buildings will be opening their doors late as artists transform these spaces as temporary showcases for their work.Over the last few years, Light Night has grown in popularity, last year attracting an estimated 50,000 people; so what can you expect this year? As 2015 is the UNESCO International Year of Light, many of the artists are using this as an opportunity to celebrate the role that light plays in our lives; not to be missed is the Light Night Lantern Parade, a procession through the city led by a giant illuminated owl, the symbol of Leeds!
One of this year’s key events will take up residence on the South Bank in the form of Whale Song, sponsored by Leeds Bid. This magical combination of light, sound and water, depicts a majestic whale surfacing from the waters of the River Aire.
Other highlights include: The Seventh Wave in Trinity Leeds, where the Atrium roof will be transformed into a dramatic weather skyscape; a spectacular circus show on Briggate by Pulse, with aerial circus artists, sparks, smoke and great music; and Your Colour Perception in Leeds Town Hall Crypt, where colour and light creates the experience of what it might be like to walk through a rainbow.
A whole range of amazing arts events will be held at over 35 locations across the city centre, with new venues including The Tetley, the Queens Hotel and Kirkgate Market joining in Light Night 2015. To make sure you catch as many events as possible our free hop-on hop-off Light Night Rider bus will be taking a circular journey around the city every 15 minutes, stopping in each of the zones.
For those who choose to walk, we’ve some weird, wonderful and wacky Street Performers set to entertain you as you stroll around Leeds, with music, comedy, dance, fire, drumming and puppetry there really is something for everyone. If all this activity makes you hungry, take a break and enjoy some of the Light Night Bites available from our selection of street food vendors on Cookridge Street, Millennium Square and Victoria Gardens.
All events are free but some may require booking in advance, so to help plan your Light Night route visit the website
