University of Leeds set to dazzle the city with 18 events at Light Night
Light Night 2026 will return to the city on October 28 and 29 and will feature more than 40 displays
From swirling galaxies to dancing leaves, the University of Leeds is preparing to light up the city with 18 instalments and performances this October.
Light Night Leeds returns on October 28 and 29, with the university’s programme bringing together art, science and nature as part of the city-wide celebration of creativity.
Running from 6pm on both evenings, the university’s events fail during the half-term holidays, offering families the chance to explore research-inspired artworks and performances.
One highlight is We Are Stardust, a newly commissioned artwork by artist-researcher Daksha Patel, which will transform the side of the Laidlaw Library with illuminated projections of newborn star systems and gas swirling around black holes.
The piece draws on astrophysics research at Leeds, including supercomputer simulations exploring how giant planets form.
Dr Alison Young, Stephen Hawking Fellow at the School of Physics and Astronomy, said: “Physics research seems mysterious to a lot of people, so it’s great that you can come and see it on a wall in huge, illuminated displays.”
Another installation, The Heat Beneath Our Feet, will take visitors beneath the Earth's surface to explore how heat and water move through ancient rock formations, highlighting research into geothermal energy as a potential source of clean power.
Nature will also take centre stage in What We Leave Behind, an artwork by Lou Chapelle inspired by Gair Wood, the university’s “woodland of the future”, where 60,000 trees have been planted for ecological research.
Projections of dancing leaves will be accompanied by a choral soundtrack recorded with Opera North Young Voices and Youth Chorus, imagining the woodland as a future home for hundreds of plant and animal species.
There will also be a return for RJC Dance’s carnival-inspired performance, featuring illuminated costumes designed and produced at the university and choreography inspired by Greek mythology.
Those seeking something darker can head to the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery for Gothic piano music exploring vampires and the supernatural. The gallery will open specially for the event alongside its Quite Shameless exhibition.
Student creations will include a giant glowing puppet of Mother Earth, original music accompanied by poetry and dance, and lanterns decorated with sun-printed plant silhouettes.
Families can also enjoy indoor activities as part of Be Curious, the university’s annual family activity day, in the Riley Smith Theatre.
Councillor Salma Arif, deputy leader of Leeds City Council, said working with the university and other partners helped make Light Night an “all-encompassing event” that stretches across the city and makes art accessible to more people.
Light Night Leeds is organised and supported by Leeds City Council, with funding from Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grants and city sponsors.