Light Up Lancaster

21/05/2026

📢𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠!
If you are an early-career artists or producer this is a fantastic opportunity to get behind the scences at Light Night Wigan and Light Up Lancaster... see below for details...

15/05/2026

Light Up the North is looking for a freelance Programmer Lead to deliver an ambitious programme of activity…see below for details…

📢We’re hiring: Programme Lead (Freelance)

We are seeking a Programme Lead to help deliver an ambitious programme of activity across the next two years. As a strategic network supporting the development of the light art sector, we bring together light festivals to share expertise, commission new artworks, support artists, carry out research, and strengthen collaboration across the sector.

We’re looking for someone with experience in...
✅ Strategic partnerships and advocacy
✅ ACE-funded projects and reporting
✅ Evaluation and data analysis
✅ Managing programmes and multiple stakeholders
✅ Writing reports and supporting sector development

We'll offer...
📍 Remote / flexible working
📅 Contract dates July 2026 – January 2028
🕒 Working pattern 48 days across 19 months (average 2.5 days per month)
💷 Fee £250 per day (£12,000 total fee)
🚆 Additional travel & subsistence budget available

Visit https://lightupthenorth.com/opportunity/programme-lead-for-lutn-2026-28/ to submit your CV + short supporting statement.
⏰Deadline: Midnight, 7 June 2026
📣Shortlisted applicants notified: 11 June 2026
🗓 Interviews: Week commencing 15 June 2026

LUTN is funded using public funds from Arts Council England.



📷Rainforest Butterflies by Anne Bennett. Nightfall Middlesbrough 2025. Photo Simon McCabe.

Visit Barnsley | Severn Arts | Bradford Culture Company | I love Oldham | Light Night Leeds | Lightpool | Experience Wakefield | Appetite | Quays Culture | Artichoke | Stellar Creates | Culture Liverpool | Flux Rotherham | Freedom Festival Hull | Things That Go On Things | Enchanted City Newcastle | Light Night Wigan

12/05/2026

Light Up The North secures funding from Arts Council England to drive next phase of Light Sector Development, read more about this great news: https://lightupthenorth.com/light-up-the-north-secures-funding-from-arts-council-england-to-drive-next-phase-of-light-sector-development/

06/05/2026

✨ 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 & 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐒!

Our SPARK 2026 Programme is now open for applications to submit work for Light Up Lancaster (5–7 Nov) and Light Night Wigan (20–22 Nov)..

📅 Deadline: Friday 22 May, 5pm
📧 Find out more and apply https://lightupthenorth.com/development/spark/

13/04/2026

Please see below an exciting update from our friends at St John's Hospice!

Exciting Moonlight Walk Update! This year’s visit to Lancaster Castle will be like no other...

To celebrate their 40th Anniversary, St John’s Hospice are partnering with Imitating the dog, a Lancaster based arts organisation which specialises in projects using projection technologies and the lead organisation behind the delivery of Light Up Lancaster.

And this year, the hospice’s amazing walkers and supporters get to help shape the experience! You are invited to share a few words about what the hospice means to you. Those words will then be projected onto Lancaster Castle on the night of the Moonlight Walk. The castle will also be illuminated red, creating a striking and meaningful backdrop for this milestone moment.

Join in and submit your words here - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dxWdaYLHh2

Haven’t got your tickets for the walk? Sign up today - https://stjohnshospicelancaster.enthuse.com/cf/moonlight-walk-2026

Exciting Moonlight Walk Update! This year’s visit to Lancaster Castle will be like no other🌙

As we celebrate St John’s Hospice 40th Anniversary, we are thrilled to announce we are partnering with Imitating the dog, a Lancaster based arts organisation who specialises in projects using projection technologies. They are proud to be the lead organisation behind the delivery of the extremely popular Light Up Lancaster Festival.

This year, YOU our amazing walkers and supporters get to help shape the experience! We’re inviting you to share a few words about what the hospice means to you. Those words will then be projected onto Lancaster Castle on the night of the walk, welcoming you into the courtyard and creating a truly unforgettable moment 🏰

To mark our Ruby Anniversary edition of the event, the castle will also be illuminated red, creating a striking and meaningful backdrop for this milestone moment

Join in and submit your words here - https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/dxWdaYLHh2 ❤️

Haven’t got your tickets? Sign up today - https://stjohnshospicelancaster.enthuse.com/cf/moonlight-walk-2026

10/04/2026

📣 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒: 𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
We are looking for ambitious, high-quality ideas for two new light-based commissions to tour the North’s most iconic light festivals!
This is more than just a commission; it’s a career-changing opportunity to develop your practice, create work at scale, gain experience of working in outdoor festival contexts and build your profile within the light art sector!
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
✨Commission Fee: Up to £15,000 (Fees & Fabrication)
✨Touring Costs: Up to £2,500 (Travel & Attendance)
✨Support: Mentoring, production guidance, and technical delivery
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫: Your work could light up Lightpool (Blackpool), Light Night Leeds, Light Up Lancaster, Barnsley Bright Nights, Light Up Wigan, Lightwaves (Salford), or Illuminate Oldham! From urban centres to waterfronts, we need adaptable, engaging ideas.
📅 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟏𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲, 𝟗𝐚𝐦.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲: Find our more and submit your proposal https://lnkd.in/e6BEMBC6

17/03/2026

💡Calling all light artists / projection mapping specialists / digital animators!💡
Please see below for four fabulous artist opportunities from our friends at Lightpool!

LIGHTPOOL OPEN CALL
https://lightpool.org.uk/lightpool-opportunities/lightpool-open-call
We have an open call for expression of interest to showcase at Lightpool Festival 2026. UK creatives are invited to submit expressions of interest to submit an idea for a light artwork that is engaging to all age groups. Both light art professionals and newcomers can submit an idea.
Closing date 1 May.

LUCENT
https://lightpool.org.uk/lightpool-opportunities/lucent
Lucent is an exciting initiative that ignites creativity across the UK, celebrating the remarkable ideas from talented individuals like you! Lightpool invites submissions of innovative concepts—no formal artistic credentials are required both light art professionals and newcomers can submit an idea.
Closing date 8 May.

BLACKPOOL TOWER PROJECTION MAPPING
https://lightpool.org.uk/lightpool-opportunities/blackpool-tower-projection-mapping
We have an open call for expression of interest for digital animators to join the digital creatives at Blackpool Illuminations to create a fun, family friendly projection for Lightpool 2026.
The content might include graphic animations, video footage or a combination of the two – but must utilise the building to create an immersive experiences to bring the building to life.
The work will showcase at the start of Blackpool Illuminations in early September 2026.
Closing date 15 May.

WEDDING CHAPEL PROJECTION MAPPING
https://lightpool.org.uk/wedding-chapel-projection-mapping
We have an open call for expression of interest for digital animators to join the digital creatives at Blackpool Illuminations to create a fun, family friendly projection for Lightpool 2026.
The content might include graphic animations, video footage or a combination of the two – but must utilise the building to create an immersive experiences to bring the building to life.
The work will showcase at the Lightpool 2026.
Closing date 15 May.

06/03/2026

Find out more about the Light Up the North network meeting in Wigan…

16/01/2026

Light Up Lancaster transforms the city each autumn, bringing light, joy and a sense of wonder to many thousands of residents and visitors. What began as a small pilot in 2012 has grown into a much‑loved annual festival, drawing thousands of visitors to experience the amazing light installations and creative artworks designed by local, national and international artists.

Thanks to the support of Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District), along with other local and national partners, the festival continues to thrive. Lancaster BID's invaluable support throughout the years has meant that together we are able to offer an event that celebrates creativity, community and the unique character of Lancaster.

Not only does Lancaster BID support Light Up Lancaster financially each year, the BID team work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring the event to life. Thank you, Love Lancaster BID!

17/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we've been looking back at this year's Light Up Lancaster festival - three days of amazing art, light and magic. Artists came from across the country and from overseas to share their incredible creations, families and friends came together to explore and wonder, and the city sparkled with colour and fun!

Thank you to everyone who joined us in 2025 - we'd like to wish you a very happy festive season!

Video thanks to Sodium Films via Imitating the dog