Light Night Leeds Returns with Spectacular Light Festival

Leeds city centre illuminated for annual light festival

Leeds city centre was transformed with a dazzling display of light and sound as Light Night Leeds returned for its first of two nights on 28 October 2026. The event, one of the largest light festivals in the UK, featured a wide range of light projections, immersive performances, and artistic installations celebrating the city’s history and community.

Festival theme and significance

This year’s Light Night Leeds was themed ‘A City Speaks…’ as part of the Leeds 400 celebrations, marking 400 years since Leeds was granted its first Royal Charter by King Charles I in 1626. The festival aimed to showcase Leeds in new and creative ways, highlighting the city’s unique character through light, projection, and performance.

Event details and locations

For the first time, Light Night Leeds was held during the October half term, allowing families and visitors of all ages to attend. The festival stretched from Aire Park through the city centre and up to the University of Leeds campus, featuring a variety of installations and performances, including:

• Briggate: ‘Far, Far Away’ by Lightspray Visual, a storybook-themed projection created in partnership with the British Library and inspired by its collection and local primary schoolchildren’s drawings.
• Civic Hall: ‘In Dual Light’ by Nele Fack and Niels Blondeel, exploring mathematical duality through dynamic shapes projected onto the building.
• The Queens Hotel: ‘Call My Name, Call Me Home’ by imitating the dog with Hope & Social, a projection reflecting five decades of life in Leeds through changing streets, bars, and homes.
• Leeds Minster: ‘Eternal Ensemble’ by ONYVA! Studio, an immersive audio-visual experience featuring a cellist performing across multiple points with spatial sound and projection.
• Centenary Square (SOYO zone): ‘Happy as the Day is Long’ by Stellar Creates, a silent disco beneath a giant mirrorball sculpture casting thousands of coloured reflections.

Community and international engagement

Light Night Leeds attracted a diverse audience, including an official delegation from Japan and representatives from Leeds’ partner city Brno in the Czech Republic. The event was organised by Leeds City Council with funding from Arts Council England and support from various sponsors, trusts, and foundations.

Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for economy, commented on the event’s success, highlighting its role in bringing people together and showcasing the city’s creative spirit.

Further information

The festival programme ran from 6pm to 9.30pm on both nights. For more details on the full programme and updates, visitors were directed to the official Light Night Leeds website and social media channels.