Light Up Lancaster 2026

Visit the What’s On page for details of each artwork and installation and don’t forget to check the TAKE PART page for how you can get involved.

Aside from the wonderful array of light shows and installations that will appear throughout the city and it's parks, the weekend's programme of events also includes:

• Magical Night Market

  Curated by: LESS Visit Market Square and enjoy hot food, cakes and drinks on offer from a local street food market.

• British Sign Language Guided Tours of Light Up Lancaster

  Light Up Lancaster is delighted to welcome Martin Glover to the festival, who will be offering British Sign Language (BSL) guided tours to d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors. He will highlight the meanings and the processes behind the creation of the artworks and installations. 

• Preston City Mela Collaborative

  Performances at 7.00pm on Fri 6 Nov and 6.30pm on Sat 7 Nov Market Square

  Abhi Dance Academy – Bollywood Dances Abhi Dance Academy has trained Bollywood dancers who bring the vibrance of Indian film dances to the audience. The dances include props and colourful costumes which lighten up any occasion and the performance involves audience participatio.

Plus there's Explore Week during half-term.

During half term, a week in advance of the Festival, Light Up Lancaster’s much-loved Explore Week returns from 26 to 30 October, bringing five days of free, family-friendly activities to The Storey. Designed to spark curiosity and creativity, Explore Week offers hands-on workshops, interactive experiences and exciting opportunities to discover the worlds of art, light and science.

Delivered in partnership with Lancaster University’s Engagement Team, the Explore Week programme is a fun and accessible way for children and families to get involved, learn something new and enjoy a week of creative exploration ahead of the main Light Up Lancaster festival.