Welcome to Nottingham Light Night 2026!

🗓️ Dates: Friday 6 and Saturday 7 February 2026
⏰ Time: From dusk till late
📍 Location: Across Nottingham city centre
🎟️ Admission: FREE

This free, family-friendly event invites everyone to experience Nottingham like never before, with glowing installations, interactive displays, and live performances illuminating the city's landmarks, streets, and hidden corners.

✨ Download the Nottingham Light Night 2026 guide (PDF) ✨

The city will be illuminated after dark for this free, family-friendly event, allowing visitors to explore landmarks, streets, and hidden corners. More than 30 immersive and interactive light-based installations, performances, and activities will be taking place across Nottingham over the two nights.

Many of this year’s commissioned works explore the theme of home – from installations conceived or created in Nottingham to pieces that reflect what home means to us all.

Architecture Social Club presents Parallels at Old Market Square, an immersive installation that merges architectural light and sound. Using thousands of laser beams, it creates vivid light environments that surround and engage spectators. Architecture Social Club’s connection to Nottingham runs deep – it’s where a part of the studio’s story truly began. Their return with Parallels is both a homecoming and a celebration of the city that first inspired their fascination with performance, space, and the power of shared experience.

At Sneinton Market Square, discover The Cat That Slept For A Thousand Years. Air Giants’ inflatable, decorated light sculpture invites visitors to stroke or cuddle the huge creature and feel its deep, rumbling purr, as if slumbering by the fire at home.

Outside Nottingham Castle, an intricate fibre-optic display, Mycelium Network, will surround the Robin Hood Statue. The soft, glowing light will spread out from the base of the statue to symbolise the legend of Robin Hood taking root in Nottingham.

More commissioned works, including installations by Nottingham-based artists at Nottingham Castle, St Mary’s Church, and Sneinton Market Avenues, can be found in the Light Night programme. Attendees will be able to plan their itineraries and read more about all the installations using the free It’s in Nottingham app. Printed guides will also be available from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row, and at key locations on the day.

Light Night is produced and funded by Nottingham City Council and It’s in Nottingham. Cultural organisations across the city also support the event.

Cllr Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “We’re delighted to welcome the return of Nottingham Light Night. This year’s theme of home is especially meaningful, as it showcases Nottingham’s creative talent and brings communities together. Light Night invites residents and visitors alike to reconnect with the city, support local businesses, and enjoy a vibrant evening of culture and creativity. Events like this play an important role in boosting the evening economy, while also reinforcing our city centre as a welcoming place for families and a lively place to be after dark – best of all, it’s free and open to everyone.”

Alex Flint, CEO of It’s in Nottingham, said: “Nottingham Light Night is a powerful celebration of everything that makes our city exceptional – its creativity, its people and its strong sense of community. It brings thousands of residents and visitors together, lighting up our streets after dark and showcasing Nottingham at its most vibrant. As well as creating unforgettable experiences, events like this deliver real benefits for local businesses and the evening economy, reinforcing Nottingham’s reputation as a welcoming, dynamic and culturally confident city.”

Light it up Duckie 🦆🌟

As part of Nottingham Light Night 2026, Light It Up Duckie has returned to bring colour, creativity, and a sense of fun to shop windows across the city centre. Local businesses are decorating and naming their giant yellow ducks, turning Nottingham into a playful trail of glowing surprises.

Plan your visit 🗓️

To help you make the most of your adventure, the free It’s in Nottingham app is your go-to guide. Download it on iOS or Android to plan your itinerary and learn more about all the installations. Prefer a printed guide? Download it here or pick one up from the Tourism Centre on Smithy Row or other key spots during the event.

Plan your journey 🚍

- Catch the bus to Light Night for just £3 (single fare) with NCT or trentbarton 

- NCT also offers a Grouprider ticket which covers up to 5 people for £9
(2 adults and up to 3 children) for unlimited all-day travel in the City Zone

- Or get the £13 NCT Network Grouprider - unlimited all-day travel across all NCT services in the City Zone and Outer Zone, including Loughborough, East Leake, Cotgrave, Cropwell, Burton Joyce, Lambley, Woodborough, Calverton and Southwell

- NET Tram also offers a Group Ticket for £12 for one-day unlimited travel for 1 or 2 adults and up to 3 children. Mon-Fri after 4pm and weekends

Mark your calendars, grab your family and friends, and join us for two nights of unforgettable experiences. Nottingham Light Night 2026 promises to be a magical journey for all ages – don’t miss it!

Nottingham Light Night is produced and funded by It's in Nottingham and Nottingham City Council. Cultural organisations across the city also support the event.