Welcome To

LIGHT UP THE NORTH

A network of light festivals across the North of England

Light Up The North

About

Light up the North (LUTN) is a network of nine northern light festivals which have come together to share their collective expertise to support both the development of the partner festivals and the wider sector. Through regional, national and international networking and collaboration LUTN nurtures artistic ambition through artist and producer development, co-commissioning and joint fundraising.

The capacity and depth of cultural practice within the network enables LUTN to support emerging artists, explore technical innovations and create aspirational work to deliver a compelling offer for audiences.

Festivals

Light Night Leeds

Light Night Leeds

12-13 October 2023

Light Up Lancaster

LightUp Lancaster

2-4 November 2023

BD:Is LiT

BD:Is LiT Bradford

3-4 November 2023

Lumiere Durham

Lumiere Durham

16-19 November 2023

Light Night Wigan & Leigh

Light Night Wigan & Leigh

16-18 November 2023

Nightfall Middlesborough

Nightfall Middlesborough

29 Nov - 3 December 2023

Lightwaves 2021

Lightwaves Salford

7-10 December 2023

Illuminate Oldham

Illuminate Oldham

24 February 2024

Light Up Wakefield

Wakefield Light Up

17-19 November 2023
Pontefract Castle Light Up: 24-25 November 2023

Barnsley Bright Nites

Barnsley Bright Nights

24-26 November 2022

Light Night Worcester

Light Night Worcester

14-15 February 2024

Light at the End of the Tunnel

Newcastle Cathedral

11-13 April 2023

Light Up Leicester

Light Up Leicester

Back in 2025

Crewe

Back in 2024

Latest News

Light Up The North SHINE 2023

SHINE Emerging Artist Programme 2023

Light Up the North (LUTN) is a network of 9 light festivals across the north of England. In 2023, eight of the festivals are joining together to award funding to emerging artists working with light, to produce and exhibit new commissions at their 2023/24 light festivals.

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Brilliant 2023

BRILLIANT national commissioning scheme is live

Artichoke is inviting anyone aged 18+ to submit their bright idea for new light works for Lumiere 2023. The UK’s light art biennial will take place from 16-19 November 2023 in Durham. Sponsored by locally-owned firm EMG Solicitors Limited, BRILLIANT gives up to six individuals the opportunity to exhibit their work alongside UK and internationally-renowned artists. 

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Aims

  • Support emerging artists and explore ways to co-commission and showcase new work through initiatives such as Light Lab.
  • Collaborate to share knowledge and expertise across the cultural sector.
  • Develop partnerships with other festivals around the world to help build and share audiences and support artist mobility and development.
  • Develop a recognisable festival brand with a reputation for best practice in the North of England