This city is about to have a gorgeous glow-up with the arrival of the very first Birmingham Light Festival this winter. We’ll see a staggering 11 dazzling installations transform the city centre into an illuminated, open-air gallery from February 19 to 22 – with a full programme of over 50 events on top.
The festival will transform locations across the city from 6pm to 10pm, with artwork popping up in Birmingham’s streets, squares and public spaces. Plus, three of the artworks, thanks to funding support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will stay in situ after the festival ends, in a bid to brighten city spaces over time.
Alex Nicholson Evans, City Curator, said: “We’re so proud of the way that our city has come together to deliver what is shaping up to be a truly spectacular festival. It’s thanks to our incredible partners, artists, and businesses across Birmingham and beyond, that we have an amazing line-up of artworks and events that will give people so many opportunities to see our city in a different light!”
What events are on?
A programme of over 50 events will be running, staged by organisations and venues across Birmingham. Just some of the events include: Roundhouse Birmingham taking over the waterways with Neon Paddle, a guided night-time kayak tour through the canals (£40pp) and Run the Lights, a free 5km run, taking in all of the illuminations.
Meanwhile, The Mailbox’s Culinary Light Trail (£48pp) sees three restaurants (Bazar, Indico, The Mayan) offering exclusive light-themed snacks and cocktails; and Ikon Gallery will be marking the setting sun, bringing back a centuries-old tradition, by inviting communities together to form a human chain around the building.
Then dance the night away under neon lights at Snobs and Rosie’s nightclubs, which will feature glow bubble machines, UV face painting and games and a glow-in-the-dark confetti cannon. Or create your own masterpieces using glow-in-the-dark paints and neon lights, at a family-friendly session, or adults-only sip-and-paint party.
Birmingham Light Festival artworks:
Flux
Flux, by French design studio Collectif Scale, will bring a mesmerising display of dancing light beams and exciting electronic music to Snow Hill Square.
Floor is LAVA x Silent Disco
Centenary Square will become a space for play, hosting several participatory artworks including Floor is LAVA x Silent Disco. Funded by United By 2022 and created by Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces, the ultimate silent disco experience will encourage festival goers to dance along to their favourite party tunes until they hear the ‘Floor is LAVA’ track, when they’ll need to avoid the lights.
Twist & Shine
Visitors to Centenary Square will also be able to enjoy Twist & Shine by Kaleider, a collection of interactive light prisms that can be twisted into thousands of shapes
Night Badminton
Ahead of the Yonex All England Open, Badminton England will be challenging visitors to a game of Night Badminton.
Mycelium Network
Taking root in the Jewellery Quarter’s St. Paul’s Square, Mycelium Network by Stevie Thompsonuses fibre-optic lighting to recreate the underground fungal networks that help plants to grow, celebrating the hidden energy of the Earth.
Positive Spin
Part fortune teller, part fruit machine, Positive Spin by Liz Harry is a 5-metre-high interactive artwork which generates tarot readings, along with animated illustrations of the spinner’s fortunes. Positive Spin will be situated at The Mailbox.
Un-Reel Access
Un-Reel Access by Kappa, a mysterious glowing locked door, will appear at New Street Station, provoking curiosity at what lies beyond.
Peace Poem
Hippodrome Square will be the home of Peace Poem by Emergency Exit Arts, an illumination of the beautiful words of poet Robert Montgomery. The message of peace from Birmingham to the world will come to life with breathtaking butterflies at points throughout the night, which have been animated by Birmingham-based performers.
Alright Bab!
The first of three ‘legacy’ artworks: Alright Bab!, a collaboration between Colmore BID, local merchandise business Brumbox and Midland’s based production company, Taylex Group, pays homage to this iconic Brummie greeting.
Ideas Happen Here
The second ‘legacy’ artwork: Ideas Happen Here, a collaboration between local agency Rough Diamond, The Whitmore Collection, RAWLS, Taylex Group and Jewellery Quarter BID, will take the form of an abstract and free-form light bulb, speaking to the remarkable historical achievements of the Jewellery Quarter in innovation, manufacturing and design.
Roof of Stars
The final ‘legacy’ artwork: Inspired by the stars who pass through the Hippodrome’s Stage Door, Roof of Stars will be installed on Thorp Street, delivered through a partnership between Birmingham Hippodrome and Southside District.
A Birmingham Light Festival map is now available for download from the festival website, with all artworks fully accessible, with step-free access and an audio description tour running on Thursday evening. To see the full list of artworks, events, and further details head here.