1. The Enchanted Glade
Artists: Lantern Company (UK) / Leeds Lights (UK) / Studio Toer (The Netherlands) / Custom Fibre Optics (UK) / Hazel Plummer and Martin Robinson (UK)
Location: Park Square, LS1 2NU
Thursday & Friday, 6.30pm – 10.30pm (repeats throughout the evening)
Step back in time to the ancient forest of Leodis which once existed where the city of Leeds now stands and enter an enchanted glade filled with glowing flowers, fairies, and mystical stone circles. Presented in partnership with the British Library and inspired by their current exhibition Fantasy: Realms of Imagination (supported by Wayland Games and the Unwin Charitable Trust), this magical experience features
collaborative work by several artists including our own Leeds Lights team.
Co-produced by British Library. Firefly Field supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Leeds 2023. Custom Fibre Optics is part of the SHINE Emerging Artist Programme.
Commissioned by LUTN.
2. Evanescent
Artist: Atelier Sisu (Australia)
Location: Armouries Square,
Leeds Dock, LS10 1PZ
Thursday & Friday, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Atelier Sisu is a Sydney based design studio exploring the intersection between art and architecture lead by award winning artists Renzo B. Larriviere and Zara Pasfield.
Evanescent is a stunning and larger-than-life artwork standing at 8m tall which invites you to walk underneath and among the vibrant bubble structures which, by daylight, are iridescent in the sunlight. When darkness falls, internal lights illuminate bubbles in vibrant multi colours alongside an accompanying ethereal soundscape.
Supported by Royal Armouries and Leeds Dock.
3. Shipwrecked
Artist: Royal Armouries (UK)
Location: Leeds Dock, LS10 1LT
Thursday & Friday, 7.30pm, 8pm, 8.30pm & 9pm
A ship has wrecked against a lighthouse in Leeds Dock. A band of pirates have become fixated on something in the water. What is lurking below the depths to have made this ship run aground? Join us for this pop-up performance featuring the Royal Armouries combat team ahead of the Pirates and Highwaymen event running during October half term.
4. Light And Sound
Artist: Various Artists (UK)
Location: Leeds City College, Playhouse Square, LS2 7BS
Thursday, 6pm – 9pm
Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill Campus is opening its doors again for Light Night 2023 with a series of installations built for the occasion by staff, students and professional artists. Join them on their rooftop terrace to see and hear Light Night Leeds from a completely different perspective. Take time to relax and let the sounds of the city wash over you, grab binoculars and peer across the skyline and take plenty of selfies! Calming lighting and music created for the event will enhance the relaxing atmosphere. In the Chroma-Q Theatre, lighting design and production students will be creating a large-scale interactive spectacular.
The college is supported by AC Entertainment Technologies, ensuring that audiences will be dazzled. Bring along colourful litter to be part of our Leeds Litter Letter installation, play Simon Says across Playhouse Square with the residents of SOYO, choose a free piece of art and experience a brand new exhibition from our Artist in residence.
5. Sylvan Quiet
Artist: Novak (UK)
Location: City Square, LS1 1PJ
Thursday & Friday, 7.30pm – 10.30pm (repeats throughout the evening)
Novak return to Light Night Leeds with this brand-new projection work inspired by and incorporating the Making A Stand sculpture created for Leeds 2023. Sylvan Quiet seamlessly blends nature and human creativity, inviting viewers on a sensory journey into the delicate essence of woodlands, capturing the forest’s serene beauty and the interplay of light and shadow.
In an era highlighting the fragility of ecosystems, this artwork goes beyond aesthetics and underscores the urgency of our responsibility. Novak’s creation prompts reflection on our connection to the natural world, urging the preservation of these enigmatic ecosystems.
With thanks to Queens Hotel and Schroders Personal Wealth.
6. Seed of Life
Artist: Amberlights (UK)
Location: Leeds Bus Station, New York Street, LS2 7HU
Thursday & Friday 6.30pm – 10.30pm
The Seed of Life invites exploration with its harmonious dodecahedral design of interlocking pentagon panels. Lit by vibrant LEDs at night and adorned with an enchanting iridescent film, it presents a mesmerizing sight during the day. This accessible dome-like installation accommodates interactive experiences, serving as a captivating centrepiece that complements its surroundings by casting intricate light patterns. Stepping inside reveals a jewel-like interior, glowing with majestic purples, radiant golds, delicate pinks, serene blues, lush greens, and warm bronze tones—an ethereal symphony of colours that captivates observers.
Sponsored by WYCA.
7. Theatre of Illumination
Artist: Will Simpson (UK)
Location: Leeds Civic Hall, Millennium Square, LS1 1UR
Thursday & Friday, 7pm-10.30pm (repeats throughout the evening)
Accessibility: accessible viewing area in level 2 bar at the Carriageworks Theatre (accessible via a lift)
This digital spectacle of light and sound propels the historic architecture of Leeds Civic Hall into the next century with the explosive energy of a firework display. 3D optical illusions and projection mapping combine to create an ultramodern white light show with surround sound. Theatre of Illumination takes you on a futuristic journey through time and space.
Originally commissioned by Leeds Inspired for Light Night 2014, this is an opportunity to revisit one of Light Night’s most loved projections.
8. The Drop
Artists: Opera North (UK)
Location: Howard Assembly Room, 32 New Brigate, LS1 6NU
Thursday & Friday Thursday & Friday, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Go beyond the imaginable towards the unknowable depths of the ocean! This Light Night, the Howard Assembly Room will be plunged beneath the ocean’s surface, led by singer, violinist and composer, Alice Zawadzki, with a hybrid ensemble of strings and percussion. The musicians, including Phroensis’ Jasper Hoiby, will play from all sides of the space, sometimes alone, sometimes in pairs, sometimes all together. Melodies will slip into improvisation with the force of currents and waves, carrying us to a deep and unexplored inner world. To heighten the immersion, for one night only the Howard Assembly Room’s barrel-vaulted ceiling will become the surface of the ocean, with light cast down from high above, dancing as if through water.
Commissioned by Opera North.
9. VR Cinema
Artist: INDIs Film Festival and Leeds
Young Film Festival (UK)
Location: The Studio, Carriageworks Theatre Millennium Square, LS2 3AD
Thursday & Friday, 6pm – 10pm
(ticketed sessions) Limited capacity
Collectively share a Virtual Reality (VR) experience, curated by the INDIs and Leeds Young Film Festivals, on Meta Quest 2 headsets.
LYFF from 6pm – 8pm (age 7+).
Immerse yourself in a fun VR experience suitable for the whole family.
To book tickets use this link https://bit.ly/46tpAmy
INDIs from 8pm – 10pm (age 15+).
Explore virtual worlds together and discover new realms.
To book tickets use this link https://bit.ly/3rqMSuF
10. This is the Place
Aritst: Emergency Exit Arts (UK)
Location: Wellington Place, LS1 4AP
Thursday & Friday, 7pm-10.30pm
This Is The Place is a series of illuminative LED neon murals created by artists at Emergency Exit Arts. This installation not only explores themes of home, belonging, and migration, but also reflects on humans’ connection to our ultimate home, Earth, by including common creatures in nature. This vibrant interactive installation effectively casts a rainbow spectacular all over its surrounding environment.
Sponsored by Wellington Place.
11. Balloomi
Artist: Artur Grycuk (Poland)
Location: Balcony (Viewable from Unity bridge between Little Neville Street and Granary Wharf), New Entrance,
Leeds Train Station
Thursday & Friday 6.30pm – 10.30pm
This installation consists of balloons filled with air and white light that creates a glowing pyramid with simple light sequences. A simple geometric form which represents a minimalist yet very transcendent design. At night, Balloomi becomes a centre-piece around which people gather like moths circling a light bulb.
Sponsored by Network Rail.
12. Harp
Artist: Jonas Vorwerk (The Netherlands)
Location: Merrion Gardens, LS2 8LQ
Thursday & Friday, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Harp is an immersive audio-visual outdoor installation which invites passers-by to form an orchestra for a moment. The work is structured around thirty-two interactive vertical lines that chime and illuminate with a wave of the hand. Placing a palm under one of the sensors will change the light and sound tones. Like the strings of a harp, each of the lines has been designed to play a different note, and the light and sound design brings the audience together to create a playful symphony of gentle, dreamy tones. Harp invites people to pause and enjoy the beauty of playing music together in a public place without ever needing to practice.
Sponsored by Leeds 2023 and supported by Embassy of The Kingdom of the Netherlands.
13. Portals
Location: Event Space, Trinity Leeds, Albion Street, LS1 5ER
Thursday & Friday Performances at 6.30pm, 7.15pm, 8pm,
8.30pm, 9.15pm & 10pm
Yorkshire Circus presents Portals – a journey into the future featuring the one-of-a-kind Cyr wheel performance amidst live music, supported by local breaking crew Bust-A Move. Returning after successful fire performances at Light Night 2019, Yorkshire Circus are delighted to welcome you to dive into the immersive world of Portals.
Sponsored by Trinity Leeds.
14. Light Night at the Library
Artist: Various Artists (UK)
Location: Ground Floor, Central Library, Calverley Street, LS1 3AB
Friday 6.30pm – 10.00pm
Leeds Central Library’s Ground Floor will be brimming with activities on Light Night. Relax in the chill-out sensory area, get creative with craft activities and have lots of fun with games. Great for families!
15. Family Friendly Fun
Aritst: Various (UK)
Location: Wellington Place, LS1 4AP
Thursday & Friday, 6pm-9pm
There will be a variety of activities happening at Wellington Place on Light Night, suitable for all of the family. Tuck into delicious street food in Tower Square, plus don’t miss the opportunity for free UV face painting and become part of Light Night’s displays!
Sponsored by Wellington Place.
Light Night Leeds 2023 – Festival guide
Help keep Light Night Leeds a free event by purchasing an official festival guide for just £2.
The guide is essential in getting the most out of your Light Night experience. It features everything you need to know about what’s happening on 12 and 13 October, with full colour maps and information about every artwork and interactive event.
All proceeds from the sales of the Festival Guides go directly into supporting the event and help to keep it free to attend.
You can pick up a festival guide in-person from the following stockists:
Leeds Art Gallery
Leeds City Museum
The Tetley
Trinity Leeds Guest Services
The following libraries:
Chapel Allerton
Crossgates
Garforth
Moor Allerton
Pudsey
Rothwell
Wetherby
Leeds Central Library
Are you interested in supporting Light Night Leeds 2023 by being a stockist?
If so please contact lightnight@leeds.gov.uk
Festival guides designed by Lee Goater will be available to purchase on the night from our Information Point on Millennium Square, Cookridge Street and City Square.