A Disney love song usually comes with a castle, a ballroom or, at the very least, a magic carpet. On Saturday, 9 January 2027, it gets a concrete art gallery in Nottingham instead thanks to Candlelight. Located just an hour from Birmingham, this magical tribute concert brings a string quartet and thousands of flickering candles to Nottingham Contemporary, one of the UK’s largest contemporary art centres, which has seen everything from a Saxon fort to a Victorian railway cutting, with a medieval town hall in between.
For one date only, you’ll hear nostalgic songs from Beauty and the Beast, Encanto, Frozen The Lion King and more. Whether you’re introducing your little ones to a truly moving concert or nestling up with your sweetheart to ‘A Whole New World’, this event is suitable for ages five and above.
9 January 2027 18:30
Nottingham Contemporary
Candlelight: Disney Love Songs at Nottingham Contemporary
Disney masterfully weaves fairytale themes, teaching us crucial lessons about love, friendship and bravery. Then, there are the sweeping musical scores like “Kiss the Girl” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” that perfectly capture our childhood imaginations. If that’s already got you humming, now you can hear these melodies and many more for one night only in Nottingham.
The programme runs to 15 songs and spans nearly a century of Disney films, beginning with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and ending with Encanto (2021). Set in Nottinham Contemporary, these melodies will take new meaning as they resound in the RIBA Award-winning building. Designed by Caruso St John Architects and opened in 2009, the venue features also mid-19th-century cherry-blossom lace design by Nottingham lace maker Richard Birkin.
Why it’s worth the trip from Birmingham
🚗How to get there?
If these melodies aren’t enough to spark your interest, Nottingham is only an hour drive from the city, while trains from Birmingham New Street take around 1 hour 28 minutes on average, with services running throughout the day.
🏛️ Don’t sleep on the gallery!
The gallery also has a serious track record. It grew out of Angel Row Gallery, which put on more than 200 exhibitions between 1991 and 2007. Since moving into its current home, it says it has welcomed two million visitors and presented over 50 exhibitions, alongside family activities and learning programmes.
😏Pro tip: turn it into a full day out!
The venue is in the city centre, so you can wander the Lace Market‘s historic streets, grab dinner or a drink nearby, and fit in Nottingham Castle or the city’s cave network if their opening times line up.
Candlelight: Disney Love Songs
9 January 2027 18:30
Nottingham Contemporary
