It may be grey and drizzly outside right now, but Birmingham Light Festival will return to transform the city’s streets, squares and public space into a dazzling open-air gallery over Valentine’s weekend (February 12 to 15)—with a full programme of spectacular light installations and special events now announced.
“We are so excited to be able to reveal the full programme for Birmingham Light Festival 2026,” said Alex Nicholson-Evans, City Curator. “We have some truly remarkable artworks lined up and are delighted to be able to showcase thought-provoking, internationally renowned works alongside original creations from incredibly talented local artists.
“Once again, our fantastic founding partners, forward-thinking festival supporters and a whole host of incredible organisations from across the city have come together to make sure that Birmingham has something really wonderful to look forward to in this particularly dark and cold winter. The countdown is officially on!”
What’s happening at Birmingham Light Festival?
FORGED
Inspired by the sparks, steel and relentless rhythm that shaped Birmingham. FORGED, a high-energy live experience, will transform the Bullring with fire performances and a live soundtrack of spoken word and original music from one of the city’s most exciting metal bands, Insurgent.
FORGED is produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, and between performances, the spotlight turns to the public as visitors are invited to quite literally play with fire and step up to a spectacular fire-breathing organ, a bold, interactive installation which triggers bursts of flame against the night sky.
Reunion
Take a wander down to 1000 Trades Square to the home of Reunion by Kumquat Lab, where sweeping luminous arches outside New Street Station will create a magical setting for a connected city. This colourful artwork is brought to you with thanks to Network Rail and Birmingham City University.
My Heart Belongs in Birmingham
NeonCow brings illuminated neon hearts to Lower Temple Street. A love note to the city, My Heart Belongs in Birmingham is perfect for selfies and sharing the love as visitors carry on exploring.
Our Beating Heart
Back by popular demand and building on the theme of love, Our Beating Heart by Studio Vertigo, will be taking up residence at Mailbox. This glittering artwork will transform the Canalside with shimmering light whilst inviting visitors to immerse themselves in disco music beside the rotating, heart-shaped mirror ball, one of nightlife’s most universal icons.
The Look of Love: All Eyes on Town Hall
High over Victoria Square, The Look of Love: All Eyes on Town Hall by Designs in Air, will see giant eyes keeping watch over Colmore Business District from Birmingham Town Hall as some silliness unfolds below…
The Silly Statues x Silent Disco
Voted the favourite installation from the inaugural Birmingham Light Festival, the iconic silent disco is back. This year, taking the form of a classic party game, The Silly Statues x Silent Disco by festival producers, Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS), will transform Victoria Square into a giant game of musical statues, with disco host Madame Freeze rewarding the silliest frozen poses.
Firefly Field
Over in the Jewellery Quarter, Firefly Field by Studio Toer will bring a delicate glow to the green space of St. Paul’s Churchyard. Delicate points of light will drift and flicker, creating a mesmerising scene inspired by the subtle movements of fireflies.
The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace
Along the canal path, in Oozells Square at Brindleyplace, The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace by idontloveyouanymore, will see a collection of softly glowing boxes of light arrive, each one connected to and powered by live Brummie hearts. Part of a nationwide project, Matters of the Heart, the installation will share the stories of real people from Birmingham, connecting them to their light boxes by monitors which will pulse along with each heartbeat in real-time, wherever they are.
Tipping Point
Journey into Edgbaston, where a powerful installation invites festival-goers into Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as Tipping Point by international artist Luke Jerram, will create a thought-provoking simulated forest fire. In collaboration with award-winning composers Dan Jones and Simon Birch, the outdoor artwork includes an immersive soundtrack, evocative audio effects and interviews with people about their experience of forest fires, bringing the reality of deforestation to life.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens will also be hosting Climate Conversations, creating a space to reflect and initiate discussions around climate change. Guarantee your access to this poignant experience by booking a free ticket via the Light Festival website. This provocative artwork is brought to you with thanks to the artwork sponsor, Middlemarch.
What else is there to see and do?
Alongside the temporary artworks are four legacy installations, three of which remained in situ after last year’s festival. A new installation, Where the Trees Begin by Birmingham-based mural artist Richard O’Gorman, will see Edgbaston Village illuminated by the ancient forests that once shaped Birmingham’s landscape.
Richard’s piece will remain in place after the festival ends. It joins the existing legacy pieces Alright Bab! (Colmore Square), Ideas Happen Here (Newhall Square) and Roof of Stars (Thorp Street). The continuation of the Legacy Programme has been made possible thanks to the support of Birmingham City Council, using funds from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
As Birmingham lights up, over 50 events will also be taking place across the weekend, including everything from Run the Lights, a group run starting from The Goodsyard taking in all the installations, and Paws of Light, a dog walk that makes sure furry friends don’t miss out.
Elsewhere, Edgbaston Village Night Market will give visitors the chance to explore new independent makers, while the CBSO and Canal and River Trust will be bringing back their Bringing the Light Lantern Procession after last year’s success. You’ll also find romantic candlelit evenings at restaurants across the city, alongside light-themed cocktails at many bars.
A full list of special events and offers is available on the Birmingham Light Festival website here.