Nottingham Light Night 2025: Plans For 35+ Attractions Revealed

Friday 31 January 2025
reading time: min, words

Nottingham Light Night is set to return for its seventeenth year at the end of February. This year you can look forward to 35+ installations, performances and activities all for free across the city centre...

Primal Future

One of the city's favourite events is back for its 17th year. Wander the city centre and get lost in 35+ light-based installations, activities and performances. Organised and funded by It’s In Nottingham, Nottingham City Council and Arts Council England. This is the rare kind of DIY, cultural occasion that will stick in your mind for days after, with exhibits at the Castle, Central Library, Greens Windmill, NTU, Nottingham College, Trinity Square, Market Square, St Mary’s Church and everywhere in between.

Witness Primal Future at Old Market Square, featuring a mesmerising projection on the iconic Council House. This stunning work brings together dynamic dance, cutting-edge technology, and motion graphics, all set to a specially commissioned electronic soundtrack. Audiences can experience a breath-taking fusion of sound, movement, and light, transforming the historic building into a living canvas. This collaborative piece has been created by Nottingham’s Tom Dale Company and Vent Media, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, funded by Arts Council England. 

Both of the cities universities have generously supported the development and creation of Primal Future. The University of Nottingham’s Department of Civil Engineering provided the staff and technology to undertake a laser scan 3D mesh model of the Council House. Technical teams from Lens Based Media and Immersive Media at Nottingham Trent University’s Department of Design and Digital Arts provided access to green screen technology, where the performances were filmed.

Nottingham Castle will also be bathed with a stunning visual projection, Orbit, created by Inspire Youth Arts, Urban Projections, and music producer Kirk Spencer. It merges the ancient and the cosmic, taking audiences from the birth of the universe to humanity’s ventures into space through spectacular visuals and dynamic soundscapes.

Outside the Castle, visitors can discover a captivating Firefly Field at the Robin Hood Statue, designed by Studio Toer from The Netherlands. Countless glimmering points mimic the graceful movements of nocturnal fireflies, bringing their enchanting dance to life.

Light Night 2025 Newsletter Banner 1200 X 500Px

Continuum is a mirrored, immersive artwork, which will be arranged in a geometric maze at Sneinton Market Square. Created by the company who brought the installations illumaphonium and Halo to Nottingham Light Night in 2018 and 2020 – the luminescent structures respond to the audience and create an ever-changing sensory experience, triggering rippling light and sound. 

Attendees will be able to plan their itineraries and read more about all the installations using the free It’s in Nottingham app, which is available to download on iOS and Android. Printed guides will also be available from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row, and at key locations on the day.

Light Night is produced by Nottingham City Council and It’s in Nottingham – the city’s business improvement district. The event is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, It's in Nottingham, and Nottingham City Council. Cultural organisations across the city also support the event.

Cllr Sam Lux of Nottingham City Council said: “I’m so happy to see the return of Nottingham Light Night for its 17th year. At this vibrant and family-friendly celebration of creativity, visitors can enjoy more than 35 dazzling installations across the city, all for free. The event offers an affordable and accessible trip out for people and families of all ages, giving them the chance to explore Nottingham’s incredible venues and spaces in a different light. We are excited to showcase local talent and also welcome an array of artists from across the UK and beyond.”

Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said: "Nottingham Light Night is a magical event that showcases the creativity, culture, and community spirit of Nottingham. Attracting 50,000 visitors to the city centre each year – it’s a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the diverse talent and vibrant energy that makes Nottingham such a special place. Events like this not only bring people together but also provide a significant boost to local businesses, reinforcing Nottingham's position as a cultural hub. We’re proud to support an event that lights up our city – and brings joy to so many."

Tom Dale, Artistic Director of Tom Dale Company, said: “Light Night in Nottingham generates a palpable buzz, demonstrating a huge appetite for new and immersive experiences. We've loved showing our live dance and digital artwork at Nottingham Contemporary’s performance space over the last three years. It’s been brilliant to meet new and appreciative audiences, and so we are thrilled to increase the scale again by projecting onto the Council House. Primal Future is in its final stages of creation and I can’t wait to see it in situ!”

Light Night 2025 takes place across Nottingham City Centre on Friday 28 February and Saturday 1 March. 

For more information visit the It's In Nottingham website

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