Light Night Leeds 2025: A Dazzling Citywide Glow-Up You Can't Miss!

Light Night Leeds is one of the most exciting and well-loved events in the city’s cultural calendar, drawing families and visitors from all over. For the past twenty years, this festival has transformed Leeds into a glowing wonderland, with artistic light displays and creative projections illuminating buildings and public spaces. Last year, more than 200,000 people attended, making it one of the biggest gatherings in Leeds. This year, Light Night Leeds will take place on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 October. Originally, the event was scheduled for Thursday and Friday, but the city council decided to move it forward by a day to avoid overlapping with Leeds United’s home football match against West Ham United. Organizers also considered holding the event over the weekend but decided against it due to concerns about overcrowding and higher security costs. Most of the light installations will start at 6 pm and finish by 10 pm, although a few may begin a little earlier or end later.

Visitors can look forward to around 50 different exhibits spread across eight zones throughout the city. These zones include Millennium Square, Briggate, Leeds Station, the SOYO development near Quarry Hill, Wellington Place, the University of Leeds area, and the Elland Road and Stourton park-and-ride sites. In addition to the light displays, there will be street theatre performances in Briggate and Wellington Place, adding even more excitement to the event. The theme for this year’s Light Night is ‘landmarks’, celebrating some of Leeds’ most iconic buildings with special artistic tributes.

One of the main highlights will be at the Queens Hotel, next to Leeds Station, where a projection called ‘One Second Lovestory’ by German artist Dirk Rauscher will mark 200 years of the modern railway. This artwork captures the moment when two people’s eyes meet at a busy train station. Leeds Civic Hall will feature an installation using images from books in the British Library’s collection, inviting visitors to explore worlds of science, illusion, and discovery. Another major attraction is a tribute to the invention of the spirograph, created by Leeds’ own Denys Fisher 60 years ago. At Leeds Museum’s Brodrick Hall, visitors can see colorful spirograph patterns brought to life by artist Lesley Haliwell, accompanied by a specially composed soundscape.

The best part is that all exhibitions are free and open to the public, so you don’t need a ticket to attend. However, the council has warned that some of the more popular exhibits may have queues. To help people get around, the city is offering a free ‘Light Night Rider’ bus service, which is accessible for prams and wheelchairs and runs every 15 minutes. The park-and-ride facilities at Elland Road and Stourton will stay open late, with buses running frequently to and from the city center. The last buses from Leeds City Centre will leave just before midnight, making it easy for everyone to get home.

As for the weather, Wednesday evening is expected to be dry with temperatures between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius. Thursday may see some rain during the day, but it should clear up by the time the exhibitions begin, although it will be a bit cooler than Wednesday. Light Night Leeds is a fantastic opportunity to experience art, culture, and community spirit in the heart of the city. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this event promises to be a memorable celebration of creativity and light.