Nottingham Light Night is back and this year it is bigger and better than ever before – taking place over two nights for the first time and following the theme “Life on Earth.”

Organised by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Nottingham BID, the event on 7 and 8 February is also being supported with funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England, community groups and city venues.

People are invited to take a magical journey around the city all the way from Sneinton Market to Nottingham Castle and beyond. Discover the magic of Light Night with striking light installations, exciting performances and lots of fantastic activities to get involved with, all inspired by “Life on Earth.”

Highlights include an incredibly innovative augmented reality trail by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills which is accessed by downloading a free app, enabling visitors to bring art and sculpture to life. The app also features a guide to all the activities as part of the event.

The Council House will be covered in virtual graffiti using a giant projection stretching 200ft in the air. Using projection, rather than paint, this iconic building is going to be transformed into a large-scale canvas for talented graffiti artists.

At the Robin Hood Statue you will find illumaphonium: Halo is a sculpture, which is an instrument, an environment, using sound, light, algorithms and digital sensors, inventor Michael Davis has created an immensely satisfying creative and magical experience for you to immerse yourself in.The final not-to-be-missed piece is ‘Swan Song’ at St Mary’s church where visitors can head towards a cluster of lights among the trees to hear the Orchestra of Opera North in immersive surround sound, and experience a celebration of bird life in music, in the grounds of one of Nottingham’s most ancient buildings.

Some of the city’s favourite venues including Nottingham Contemporary, William Booth Birthplace Museum, National Justice Museum and Green’s Windmill and Science Centre will all be open after dark.

There will be a range of light installations and surprises from groups including Nottingham Society of Artists, Nottingham College, Seely Primary School, Non Such, Inspire Youth Arts, Sherwood Young Artists and more. The event will also feature musical performances from Nottingham Ukulele Orchestra, Accord Community Choir, Robin Hood Youth Orchestra, Tuneless Choir, BeatFeet Drummers, and many more, in unusual locations across the city.

Light Night at Sneinton Market Avenues will see a night market of handmade crafts, street food and drinks, live music and light projections. Many Sneinton Market tenants will be opening their studios for activities. EMCCAN and ABC Dance Studio, will be working together with Jess Kemp to bring an illuminated parade of magical lanterns, puppets and costumes to bring a splash of carnival light and music to Sneinton Market and the Avenues.

Enchanted Water at the canal basin combines projections, installations and storytelling exploring the heritage of the canal, alongside regular favourites, the Physics Buskers and English Combat in Dunkirk.

With so many amazing installations across the City Centre, there is something to capture everyone’s imagination.

This year we have produced a Festival Guide costing just £2! This will give you full details of all the amazing artists and the installations, suggested routes to take, a full map and over 50 discounts for retailers, bars and restaurants around the city! Guides will be available from the Tourist Information Office from Thursday 23 January.

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure said: “I’m delighted that Light Night is once again going to open up the city on a winter Friday night, and for the first time on Saturday from 1pm, to people of all ages – especially families with young children.

“I would like to thank Nottingham BID, The Arts Council of England and all the other groups and organisations that have been instrumental in making the event happen. I would urge people to make sure they get the dates on their calendars and wrap up warm and come and join us.”

Jeff Allen, Chairman, Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID) said: I’m really pleased that we have been able to work with Nottingham City Council to turn Light Night into a two day event, creating much more of a festival. This family friendly event should attract lots of visitors to the city and help people to see it in a different light.  As you will see in this guide, there will be so much for people to see and enjoy on the Friday night and on the Saturday afternoon and evening.

We hope that people also take the opportunity to visit our great shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and visitor attractions whilst they are in the city centre and take advantage of all the great offers available during the Festival that businesses have provided and that are listed in this guide.