Weekend looks bright for Lancaster

The countdown has well and truly begun to this year’s Light Up Lancaster festival – a weekend of cultural events across the city.

Brought to you by Lancaster Arts City, Lancaster City Council and Lancaster BID, the festival is now in its fourth year and takes place on November 4-5.

This year’s event promises to be a magical weekend celebrating the city's rich cultural heritage with an arts trail for all the family through the city centre on the Friday and culminating in the annual fireworks spectacular on Saturday night.

The festival welcomes local, national and international artists including Steve Messam with his stunning installation ‘When the Red Rose’, which has been commissioned by Marketing Lancashire and is being displayed in locations throughout the county before appearing in the atmospheric setting of The Storey Gardens. 

Scenocosme, from France, bring us ‘Urban Lights Contacts’, an interactive piece relying on the co-operation of spectators, and a group of Valencian artists return this year to unveil their ‘Falla’, a unique structure based on figures from Lancaster’s history. 

Festival goers are encouraged to enter into the spirit of the festival by dressing up in anything sparkly, glowy and glittery!  ‘Bright Sparks Spotters’ will be on hand to spot the best-dressed and award prizes kindly donated by local businesses. 

Visit Lancaster on Saturday during the day and enjoy a host of activities for all the family, from walks to workshops plus tours of the castle and lantern making.

Then in the evening, watch the Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular with an array of amazing fireworks launched from the top of Lancaster Castle with BBC Radio Lancashire presenters back again this year to broadcast the specially coordinated firework music live from Quay Meadow.  

Wristbands to watch the fireworks from Quay Meadow and Giant Axe have now sold out online, but you can just turn up at the other official viewing areas at Williamson Park and Salt Ayre Sports Centre.  All in all, if you can see the castle and tune into Radio Lancashire you’ll be able to enjoy the full light and sound experience from wherever you are. 

The free glossy printed programme for the weekend is now available online at www.lightuplancaster.co.uk or pop in to contact Lancaster Visitor Information Centre to request your copy.

Light Up Lancaster has been kindly funded and supported by Arts Council England, University of Cumbria, The Duchy of Lancaster, Canal and Rivers Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund,  Confucius Institute of Lancaster University, Marketing Lancashire, Lancashire Encounter, Aldcliffe Road Triangle, Lancaster and Morecambe College, BBC Radio Lancashire, Storm Consultancy, Better with Jam, Morecambe and Lancaster Lions.

Last updated: 24 October 2016