We’ve been working on our ongoing project to map 2021 outdoor performance plans and projects in the UK; this section looks at light events – light nights, lantern parades, illuminated trails and more.
Here you’ll find the latest confirmed light events – and huge thanks to everyone who has taken part in this exercise.
Subject to Change
We are really pleased to see that there are so many positive plans, but it cannot be overstated that everything here is subject to amendment, postponement and rescheduling – as lockdowns, roadmaps and other factors dictate.
Work in Progress
If you have anything to add, correct or update to any of these lists, please contact us: info@outdoorartsuk.org
May
Light Night | Liverpool | 21 May | https://lightnightliverpool.co.uk/
September
Blackpool Illuminations | Blackpool | 3 Sept – 3 Jan | https://www.visitblackpool.com/things-to-do/blackpool-illuminations/
October
Leeds Light Night | Leeds | 14 – 16 Oct | https://whatson.leeds.gov.uk/lightnight/Home
Lightpool Festival | Blackpool | 15 – 30 Oct | https://www.visitblackpool.com/things-to-do/festival/
Light Night [The Arches Festivals] | Worcester | 19 – 21 Oct | https://thearchesworcesterfestivals.co.uk/light-night/
Wondrous Woods | Hopetoun House, Edinburgh | 21 Oct – 14 Nov | https://www.wondrouswoods.com/
Paisley Halloween Light Trail | Paisley | 23 – 31 Oct | https://paisley.is/
Illuminight | Dean Castle County Park, Kilmarnock | Oct TBC | https://www.illuminight.co.uk/
Kirkcudbright Festival of Light | Kirkcudbright | Oct TBC | https://www.kirkcudbrightlight.com/
November
Longleat Festival of Light | Warminster | 5 Nov-8 Jan | https://www.longleat.co.uk/whats-on/seasonal-events
Light Up Lancaster | Lancaster | 5-6 Nov | https://www.lightuplancaster.co.uk/
GLOW | Weston-super-Mare | 12-14 Nov | https://www.theatreorchard.org.uk/
Christmas at Kew | London | 17 Nov-19 Jan | https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas
Luminate Wales Port Talbot | 18 Nov-24 Dec | https://luminate.live/margam-country-park
Lumiere [Artichoke] | Durham | 18-21 Nov | https://www.lumiere-festival.com/
Luminate Coombe | Coventry | 18 Nov-24 Dec | https://luminate.live/coombe-abbey
Christmas at Bedgebury Bedgebury Pinetum | 19 Nov-2 Jan | https://christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com/
Lanterns at Chester Zoo [Wild Rumpus] Chester | 19 Nov-23 Dec | https://www.chesterzoo.org/events/
Christmas at Blenheim Palace | Woodstock | 19 Nov-2 Jan | https://christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com/
Christmas at Dunham Massey | Cheshire | 19 Nov-2 Jan https://christmasatdunhammassey.seetickets.com
Christmas at Cowdray | Midhurst | 21 Nov-1 Jan | https://www.lightuptrails.com/
Christmas at the Botanics | Edinburgh | 25 Nov-2 Jan | https://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2021/
Barnsley Bright Nights | Barnsley | 25-27 Nov | https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/
Illuminate Light Festival Plymouth | 25-28 Nov | https://illuminate-festival.co.uk/
Leonardslee Illuminated | Horsham | 25 Nov-22 Dec | https://leonardsleeilluminated.co.uk/
Christmas at Belton | Grantham | 25 Nov-2 Jan | https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house/features/christmas-at-belton
Christmas at Wollaton Hall | Nottingham | 26 Nov-9 Jan | https://www.christmasatwollaton.org/
Wintertide Festival | Hartlepool | 26-28 Nov | https://www.wintertidefestival.co.uk/
Christmas at Stourhead Stourton | 26 Nov-2 Jan | https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead/
GlasGlow | Glasgow | Nov TBC | https://www.itison.com/glasglow/
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum Cotswolds | Nov TBC | https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt/enchanted-christmas
Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights | Lode | Nov TBC | https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/AAWinterLights
Helmingham Hall Illuminated Light Trail | Ipswich | Nov TBC | https://www.helmingham.com/whats-on/
River of Light | Liverpool | Nov TBC | https://www.visitliverpool.com/riveroflight
Twilight Christmas at Hever Castle | Hever | Nov TBC | https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/twilight-christmas-hever-castle/
December
Christmas at Kingston Lacy | Wimborne | 3 Dec-2 Jan | https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/
Dunster by Candlelight | Dunster | 3-4 Dec | https://dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk/
Lightwaves | Salford | 3-12 Dec | https://quaysculture.com/
Christmas at Hampton Court Palace [Wild Rumpus] | London 7 Dec-3 Jan | https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/
Canary Wharf Winter Lights | London | Dec TBC | https://canarywharf.com/
Lincoln Christmas Emporium | Lincoln | Dec TBC | https://www.lincolncastle.com/content/events
Lightopia Festival | Heaton Park, Manchester | Dec TBC | https://lightopiafestival.com/
Enchanted Audley End | Saffron Walden | Dec TBC | https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/
Enlightened | Chelmsford | Dec TBC | https://hylandsestate.co.uk/events/
Christmas at Eden | St Blazey, Cornwall | Dec TBC | https://www.edenproject.com/2020/10/
2022
Light Up Poole | Poole | Feb TBC | https://lightuppoole.co.uk/
Light Night Nottingham | Nottingham | Feb TBC | https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/
Illuminate Festival | Oldham Feb TBC | https://galleryoldham.org.uk/event/illuminate-festival-2/
Spectra Aberdeen | Feb TBC | https://www.spectrafestival.co.uk/
Light Up Leicester | Leicester | Mar TBC | https://www.lightupleicester.com/
Spilsby Light Night | Spilby | 9 March | http://different-light.co.uk/spilsby/
St Leonard’s Festival | St Leonard-on-Sea | 10 July | https://www.stleonardsfestival.org/
Enchanted Forest | Pitlochry | 29 Sep-30 Oct | https://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/
