LEICESTER city centre will be lit up with some extraordinary artworks next month, with the return of a world-class festival first held in the city in 2020.
Light Up Leicester will transform the dark winter evenings with nine playful and illuminated artworks, creating a trail of light through the city’s streets.
The four-day festival promises to showcase works from some of the world’s leading ‘light’ artists, with many of the pieces being brought to the city for the first time.
The large-scale works that people will be able to enjoy include PULSE by Loop, which will feature a huge tunnel of light and sound that will create an immersive experience for visitors in St Peter’s Square.
Also part of the festival will be Fantastic Planet (pictured), a large-scale work by the Australian visual artist Amanda Parer. The three giant, glowing humanoids will appear to have come from a faraway place, landing in Orton Square to explore our extraordinary planet.
Together with installations at seven other locations, the nine artworks will create a fun night-time spectacle in Leicester city centre that will be free for everyone to enjoy.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Piara Singh Clair said: “Light Up Leicester is the latest addition to the city’s growing programme of innovative arts and cultural events.
“Each of the nine installations will help transform the night-time ambience in Leicester city centre during the four days of the festival.
“We’re very grateful to Arts Council England for supporting this event, and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver what should be a very special festival in Leicester in March.”
Simon Jenner, director of BID Leicester said “It’s incredibly exciting to see the return of Light Up Leicester to the city. Not only will we unveil brand new pieces of art, but we will also be working with internationally renowned artists in this area.
“We’re thrilled to build on the success of the last festival in 2020 and to continue bringing events like these to the city centre. We’re expecting audiences of over 70,000 to attend across the four days of the festival, which is a fantastic boost for local businesses as well.”
Light Up Leicester runs from 3-6 March 2022.
The festival is presented by Leicester City Council, BID Leicester and ArtReach and is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
More information about Light Up Leicester is available at www.lightupleicester.com/
Picture credit: Amanda Parer – Fantastic Planet.
Fantastic Planet will be in Orton Square in Leicester from 3-6 March.