Back for its eighteenth year this weekend, see the city glow after dark for this free, family-friendly event and explore landmarks, streets, art 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.
The full programme and map are now available online, and printed guides can be picked up from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row leading up to the event, and at key locations on the day. Attendees can also plan their itineraries and read more about all the installations using the free It’s in Nottingham app.
Many of this year’s commissioned works explore the theme of home – from installations conceived or created in Nottingham to pieces that reflect what home means to us all. Here's a few we've picked out:
Parallels
The Old Market Square
Architecture Social Club presents Parallels, an immersive installation that merges architectural light and sound. Using thousands of laser beams, it creates vivid light environments that surround and engage spectators.
Architecture Social Club’s connection to Nottingham runs deep as founder Satyajit Das studied here and used to promote dance events here under the moniker Firefly. Their return with Parallels is both a homecoming and a celebration of the city that first inspired their fascination with performance, space, and the power of shared experience.
Read a full interview with Architecture Social Club
Mycelium Network
The Robin Hood Statue
Outside Nottingham Castle, an intricate fibre-optic display, Mycelium Network, will surround the Robin Hood Statue.
The soft, glowing light will spread out from the base of the statue to symbolise the legend of Robin Hood taking root in Nottingham.
This work has been created by artist Stevie Thompson of Tyne and Wear-based Custom Fibre Optics.
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years
Sneinton Market Square.
A cute inflatable and absolutely gigantic decorated light sculpture, which invites visitors to stroke or cuddle the huge creature and feel its deep, rumbling purr, as if slumbering by the fire at home.
The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years is the largest piece of work to date from Bristol-based robotics studio Air Giants. It measures 10 metres long and 3 metres high and uses their trademark soft robotics to generate motion and the feeling of life. It slept for three months at Manchester Museum last year, before it nestled in Nottingham.
Obelisk of Connectivity
Outside St Mary’s Church
An illuminated sculpture created by Nottingham-born artist Nakufo (aka Chloe Smith). After spending nine years in New York developing arts projects, she has returned to her hometown to reconnect with its creative landscape.
Intricate, geometric patterns based on vintage lace have been incorporated into the design, to reflect Nottingham’s lace and textile heritage.
Read more about Nakufo and this piece of art
Electric Avenues
Sneinton Market Avenues
The resident creative community at Sneinton Market Avenues presents Electric Avenues – a myriad of projections, shadow play, live music, candles of remembrance, and much more.
This is curated by artist Sarah Manton, who said: "“In true Sneinton Market Avenues' style, the businesses will be pulling together to create a weekend of light-filled games, activities and artworks, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to share the illuminated joy!"
Nottingham College will also transform its outside space into a vibrant Creative Showcase, featuring performances from students and local music groups and choirs. Inside the City Hub, see an exhibition of student light installations, projections, and short films. They've also commissioned a brand-new work at Trinity Square, a collaboration between local artists AyUp Puppets and Made by Raccoons. Move with Marina is a striking 2-metre-tall octopus lantern with moveable limbs that can be puppeteered by the audience.
Another new commissioned work is LIMB at Nottingham Castle – a fascinating light sculpture made from waste plastic, forming a multi-layered, floating molecular structure. Designed by 3 Things Studio, the lighting changes through visitor movement, at times an energetic dance, at others serene and subtle. It’s in Nottingham presents the much-loved Light It Up Duckie once again, with giant glowing yellow ducks appearing in shop windows. This year, more than 100 local businesses are participating, each adding their own creative flair by decorating and naming their duck. The playful pieces encourage visitors to explore Nottingham’s streets, enjoy the imaginative window displays, and share their favourite ducks on social media using #LightItUpDuckie.
The full programme for Light Night is available to view and download digitally below...
There are many more installations and activities to experience across the city centre, including at Nottingham Trent University, City Arts, Nottingham Central Library, Broadway Cinema, National Justice Museum, and Nottingham Contemporary. Light Night is produced and funded by Nottingham City Council and It’s in Nottingham. Cultural organisations across the city also support the event.
Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said: “Nottingham Light Night is a powerful celebration of everything that makes our city exceptional – its creativity, its people and its strong sense of community. It brings thousands of residents and visitors together, lighting up our streets after dark and showcasing Nottingham at its most vibrant.
"As well as creating unforgettable experiences, events like this deliver real benefits for local businesses and the evening economy, reinforcing Nottingham’s reputation as a welcoming, dynamic and culturally confident city.”
More information on the It's in Nottingham website
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