Nottingham Light Night is set to return for its 19th year on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 February 2027.
The city will be illuminated after dark for this free, family-friendly event, allowing visitors to explore landmarks, streets, and hidden corners. More than 30 immersive and interactive light-based installations, performances, and activities will be taking place across Nottingham over the two nights.
This year, Nottingham is proud to be a part of a major new collaborative network, Illuminate the Midlands, showcasing the transformative power of light art, culture, and creativity across the region.
Illuminate the Midlands is a network of light art festivals spanning Beeston, Birmingham, Mansfield, Nottingham, Stoke-on-Trent, and Worcester. After delivering events independently for several years, partners have come together to work collaboratively in sharing expertise, supporting cultural development, and strengthening the region’s reputation for high-quality light-based events.
As a pilot programme, the consortium will co-commission and present a contemporary light artwork that will tour the six locations between October 2026 and March 2027, creating a shared cultural experience while celebrating the unique identity of each place.
The commissioned installation – Reflections by Lou Chapelle – is a series of holographic mirrors that invites viewers to pause for a moment and see their portraits intertwined with videos of moving water, accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack. Reflections will be on display at Nottingham College’s Fletchers Theatre.
Many more artworks and the full Light Night programme will be announced in the new year. Attendees will be able to plan their itineraries and read more about all the installations using the free It’s in Nottingham app, which is available to download on iOS and Android. Printed guides will also be available from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row, and at key locations on the day.
Nottingham Light Night is produced and funded by Nottingham City Council and It’s in Nottingham. Cultural organisations across the city also support the event.
Illuminate the Midlands is funded through Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, as well as the six partner festivals. The pilot will help establish new models for commissioning, touring, and partnership working that can benefit the Midlands long after the project concludes.
Cllr David Mellen, Executive Member for Leisure, Tourism and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “Light Night has become one of Nottingham’s most anticipated cultural events, bringing thousands of people together to experience the city in a completely different way after dark. It’s also fantastic to see Nottingham playing a leading role in the new Illuminate the Midlands partnership, helping to showcase the region’s creativity and strengthen our reputation for delivering ambitious, accessible cultural events. With free activities for all ages and exciting new artworks to discover, Nottingham Light Night promises to be another unforgettable celebration of culture, creativity and community.”
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said: “Nottingham Light Night is a shining example of the power that creativity and community have in our city. Light Night will showcase cultural and artistic excellence and create unforgettable experiences for visitors and residents alike. We look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy an illuminated city centre and the local businesses which make Nottingham a vibrant place to visit.”