Birmingham Light Festival 2027 – United Kingdom

What to expect in 2027

Birmingham Light Festival 2027 is expected to transform Birmingham city centre into a large-scale open-air gallery of illuminated artworks, installations and creative experiences. The festival is designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore the city after dark, with light art appearing across streets, squares, public spaces and prominent city-centre locations.

February 2027 (Exact Dates TBD) will mark another edition of the growing annual festival. The official website currently confirms that Birmingham Light Festival is returning in 2027, following its first edition and a second successful edition that expanded the event across Birmingham.

Unlike a conventional exhibition held inside one gallery, Birmingham Light Festival uses the city itself as the exhibition environment. Visitors can walk between installations, discover artworks in unexpected places and combine the festival with Birmingham’s restaurants, shops, cultural venues and nightlife.

The festival has featured a mixture of nationally and internationally recognized artists alongside Birmingham-based creatives. Its programme also extends beyond installations through performances, lantern processions, workshops, community activities, food and drink offers, family experiences and special events created by local organizations.

The exact 2027 artists, installations, locations and accompanying programme have not yet been announced. Visitors should therefore regard previous editions as an indication of the festival’s format rather than a confirmed list of 2027 artworks.

Event dates

February 2027 (Exact Dates TBD)

The official Birmingham Light Festival website currently confirms that the festival will return in 2027, but the specific 2027 calendar dates have not yet been published.

The festival normally operates during the evening, allowing illuminated artworks to be experienced after dark. The previous edition operated from 6pm to 10pm, providing several hours each evening for visitors to explore the installations and associated events.

The exact 2027 opening hours will be announced with the official programme. Visitors should check the festival website before travelling because individual activities may operate at different times from the main artwork trail.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Birmingham Light Festival does not have a traditional exhibition centre. Instead, Birmingham city centre becomes the exhibition site, with illuminated artworks positioned across streets, squares, public spaces, shopping districts, transport locations and cultural areas.

Previous editions have included installations around:

• Bullring and St Martin’s area
• New Street Station
• Mailbox Birmingham
• Victoria Square
• Colmore Square
• St Paul’s Churchyard
• Jewellery Quarter
• Brindleyplace
• Oozells Square
• Snow Hill
• Edgbaston
• Edgbaston Village
• Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The 2026 festival also extended into Edgbaston, where visitors could encounter artworks and related activities outside the most central city locations.

The festival’s layout is deliberately walkable. The organizers aim to position artworks within reasonable walking distance of each other and use the event to encourage visitors to explore Birmingham on foot.

An official information point has also been used at the Bullring, where visitors can obtain maps and assistance with planning their route.

Full exhibition programme

The 2027 exhibition programme has not yet been released, but Birmingham Light Festival’s established format includes several types of light-based work.

Temporary installations: New commissions and touring artworks can appear in prominent city-centre locations for the duration of the festival.

Legacy artworks: Selected commissions remain permanently or for an extended period after the main festival, gradually creating a longer-term illuminated art trail around Birmingham.

Interactive artworks: Some installations invite audiences to participate directly rather than simply observe.

Sound and light works: Several previous projects have combined illuminated visual effects with music, spoken word or environmental sound.

Community artworks: Local organizations and artists can contribute projects that connect light with Birmingham’s communities, history and identity.

Outdoor exhibitions: The public realm is treated as a gallery, allowing people to encounter contemporary art without entering a conventional cultural institution.

The 2026 programme demonstrated the breadth of this approach with works including FORGED, Reunion, My Heart Belongs in Birmingham, Our Beating Heart, Firefly Field, The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace and Tipping Point.

Featured artists & designers

The festival brings together artists and creative studios from Birmingham, elsewhere in the UK and internationally.

Previous artists and studios have included Studio Vertigo, Luke Jerram, Richard O’Gorman, Kappa, Studio Toer, Designs in Air, NeonCow, Rough Diamond, RAWLS and Taylex.

Luke Jerram: His Tipping Point installation used light, sound and a simulated forest fire to create a work addressing deforestation and climate issues. The project was presented at Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Studio Vertigo: The UK-based art and design collective created Our Beating Heart, transforming the familiar mirror-ball form into an illuminated symbol of connection and togetherness.

Richard O’Gorman: The Birmingham-based mural artist created Where the Trees Begin, a legacy artwork inspired by ancient forests and the relationship between Birmingham’s natural and urban environments.

Kappa: The Japan/UK collective behind Un-Reel Access explores light, shadow, sculpture, community and relationships between people and the natural world.

The 2027 artist list will be confirmed by the festival as commissions and installations are announced.

Galleries & exhibitors

Birmingham Light Festival differs from a conventional art fair because it does not primarily consist of commercial galleries and exhibition booths. Instead, artists, studios, cultural organizations, businesses, city-centre partners and community groups collaborate to create an integrated city-wide art experience.

The festival’s founding and supporting network has included Birmingham’s city-centre business improvement districts, Bullring, Edgbaston Village, Mailbox, Network Rail, Birmingham City University, Brindleyplace and other local partners.

Local businesses also participate through the wider events programme. Restaurants, bars, cultural organizations, creative businesses and independent makers can contribute special experiences connected with the festival.

This partnership model allows the exhibition to spread beyond dedicated arts venues. Visitors can encounter a commissioned artwork outside a railway station, beside a canal, within a shopping district, in a public square or within a historic neighbourhood.

The 2027 list of participating artists, organizations and commercial partners has not yet been published.

Exhibition halls & sections

There are no conventional exhibition halls at Birmingham Light Festival. Instead, the festival can be understood as a series of geographical exhibition zones.

City centre: Central Birmingham provides the core trail, with installations around major public squares, shopping areas, transport hubs and streets.

Jewellery Quarter: This historic creative district has hosted legacy and temporary light artworks connected with its identity as a centre for manufacturing, jewellery and design.

Canal and Brindleyplace area: Waterfront locations have provided atmospheric settings for illuminated installations and performances.

Edgbaston: Previous editions expanded the festival towards Edgbaston, connecting city-centre audiences with additional installations and cultural activities.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens: This location has hosted environmentally focused light art such as Tipping Point.

Legacy trail: Longer-term works such as Alright Bab!, Ideas Happen Here, Roof of Stars and Where the Trees Begin extend the festival’s visual legacy beyond the temporary programme.

An official map is normally provided to help visitors create their own walking route.

Talks, workshops & special events

The Birmingham Light Festival programme goes beyond static light installations. The accompanying programme has included performances, creative workshops, community events, markets, walks, food experiences and activities created by local partners.

Previous activities have included:

• Lantern-making workshops
• Lantern processions
• Silent discos
• Illuminated canal experiences
• Community trails
• Live music
• Fire performances
• Light-themed creative activities
• Night markets
• Climate discussions
• Guided walks
• Family activities
• Nature-focused experiences
• Light-themed food and drink events

The Bringing the Light Lantern Procession, for example, combined live music from CBSO Youth Projects with a decorated canal boat and a community lantern walk. The route connected the Roundhouse area with Gas Street Basin.

The 2026 programme also included Climate Conversations at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Run the Lights, Paws of Light and an Edgbaston Village Night Market.

Some accompanying events are free, while individual activities organized by partner venues can have their own admission charges.

Ticket types

The main Birmingham Light Festival exhibition is free to access and does not require a general admission ticket. This is one of the central features of the event and allows visitors to explore the illuminated artworks without purchasing an exhibition pass.

Festival access: $0.00. No general ticket is required for the main festival and its public light installations.

Temporary artworks: Free to experience unless an individual installation or associated event specifically states otherwise.

Accompanying events: Some partner-organized activities may charge admission. Prices are set by the individual event organizers and are not a standard Birmingham Light Festival ticket.

Special experiences: Certain activities may require advance registration or a free ticket because of limited capacity. The 2026 Tipping Point installation, for example, required visitors to book a free ticket.

No 2027 paid-event pricing has yet been announced. Where individual partner events introduce charges, visitors should check the relevant event listing.

VIP & collector access

Birmingham Light Festival does not operate as a conventional commercial art fair and does not have a standard VIP or collector ticket category for the main festival.

The public-facing model is based on free access to illuminated artworks throughout the city. This makes the event more similar to a public art trail than a gallery sales exhibition.

Collectors, art professionals and creative-industry visitors can nevertheless use the festival as an opportunity to discover artists, studios, commissions and public-art approaches.

The festival’s legacy programme is particularly relevant to art professionals because selected commissions remain in place beyond the main festival and contribute to Birmingham’s longer-term public-art landscape.

If the 2027 programme introduces private previews, artist talks or industry events, details will be announced separately.

Event rules

Visitors should follow the festival’s general guidance and any additional rules issued by individual venues.

Drones: Drones are not permitted at Birmingham Light Festival.

Dogs: Dogs are permitted, although visitors should consider crowds, amplified music and individual installation environments.

Photography: Visitors can photograph the installations, but should be considerate of other visitors, especially children and vulnerable adults. Official photographers and videographers may also record the event for promotional purposes.

Weather: The festival is designed to continue during rain, although high winds or adverse weather can result in temporary installation closures or postponement of some performances.

Light and sound: Some artworks can contain amplified music, flashing effects, rapid lighting changes, smoke, haze or other sensory effects. Visitors with light- or sound-sensitive conditions should review individual artwork information before attending.

Crowds: Busy periods are expected around popular installations, and staff or security may introduce queue systems when necessary.

How to get there

Birmingham is one of the UK’s major transport hubs and is well connected to cities throughout England and beyond.

By train: Birmingham New Street is the most convenient railway station for many central festival locations. Several installations have previously been positioned around or close to New Street Station, allowing visitors to begin their festival route immediately after arriving.

By tram: West Midlands Metro services connect central Birmingham with destinations including Edgbaston. The festival has encouraged visitors to use public transport when travelling between different areas.

By bus: Birmingham’s extensive bus network provides access to the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

By bicycle: Bike racks are available throughout the city centre. The festival encourages cyclists to dismount when moving through busy crowds.

By car: Birmingham is connected to the M5, M6, M40 and M42, with the A34 and A38 providing additional routes into the city.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is strongly suited to Birmingham Light Festival because the exhibition is distributed across the city and the organizers encourage visitors to walk between installations.

Rail: Birmingham New Street provides the most central rail connection and is close to several major festival locations.

Tram: West Midlands Metro provides connections across the city and towards Edgbaston.

Bicycle hire: Beryl Cycle Hire and WM Cycle Hire provide options for visitors who want to combine cycling with the festival.

Walking: Walking is one of the main ways to experience the festival because installations are deliberately positioned to encourage exploration of Birmingham’s city centre.

Parking: Birmingham city centre has approximately 25,000 parking spaces across multiple car parks. Central options include Centre Car Park, Moor Street Car Park and Edgbaston Street Car Park.

Visitors driving into the city should also check Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone requirements before travelling, as some vehicles may be liable for a charge.

Accommodation areas

Central Birmingham is the most convenient accommodation base for visitors who want to explore several installations on foot.

Areas around Birmingham New Street, Bullring, Colmore Row, Victoria Square, Brindleyplace and the Jewellery Quarter provide convenient access to different parts of the festival trail.

City centre: Best suited to visitors who want to walk between installations, restaurants, shopping areas and nightlife.

Brindleyplace: Convenient for waterfront installations, canalside attractions and restaurants.

Jewellery Quarter: A useful choice for visitors interested in design, architecture, independent businesses and light artworks connected with the district.

Edgbaston: Suitable for visitors who want to combine the festival with attractions such as Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Edgbaston Village.

Hotels, serviced apartments, guesthouses and short-term accommodation are available throughout Birmingham. Booking early can be useful when the festival attracts large evening crowds.

Food & refreshments

Birmingham Light Festival does not operate primarily as a food festival. Instead, its sustainability policy specifically encourages visitors to use existing city-centre restaurants, bars and hospitality venues rather than relying on temporary food trucks. This approach reduces waste and supports local businesses.

The accompanying festival programme has previously included special food and drink offers, candlelit dining and light-themed experiences.

Previous examples have included:

• Candlelit restaurant evenings
• Wine tasting
• Whisky tasting
• Special multi-course menus
• Light-themed cocktails
• Independent night markets
• Restaurants offering festival-related menus

The 2026 programme included special menus and drinks experiences across Birmingham, including wine tasting at Loki Wine, a five-course menu at The High Field and whisky tasting at Grain & Glass.

The 2027 restaurant programme and individual offers have not yet been announced.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important part of Birmingham Light Festival because the event takes place in public spaces rather than behind traditional gallery barriers. The organizers provide accessibility information for individual installations, recognizing that conditions can vary from one location to another.

The festival’s city-centre layout can generally be explored through public streets and pedestrian areas, while public transport provides additional options for visitors who do not want to walk the entire route.

Wheelchair access: Individual installation pages provide location-specific access information.

Changing Places: Changing Places facilities are available at New Street Station and Bullring, subject to their operating arrangements.

Blue Badge parking: Birmingham provides accessible parking options for Blue Badge holders.

Sensory considerations: Certain installations contain amplified sound, flashing lights, rapid changes, smoke, haze or fire effects. Visitors should check individual artwork information if they have sensory sensitivities.

Visitors requiring additional information can contact the festival team directly through the official website.

Must-see exhibitions

Because the 2027 installations have not yet been announced, visitors should not assume that previous artworks will return. However, several previous projects illustrate the type of work that can be expected.

Our Beating Heart: Studio Vertigo’s large illuminated heart-shaped mirror ball transformed the Mailbox canalside into a playful combination of light, movement and music.

Tipping Point: Luke Jerram’s environmental installation at Birmingham Botanical Gardens used simulated fire, light and immersive sound to explore deforestation and forest fires.

Firefly Field: Studio Toer’s installation created delicate points of light in St Paul’s Churchyard, using the visual language of fireflies to create a quieter atmospheric experience.

The Look of Love: Designs in Air presented giant illuminated eyes above Victoria Square, creating a playful interaction with Birmingham’s civic architecture.

Where the Trees Begin: Richard O’Gorman’s legacy work in Edgbaston Village connects Birmingham’s urban environment with the ancient forests that once shaped the local landscape.

The 2027 must-see list will become clearer when the official artwork programme is released.

Previous year’s highlights

The festival’s first edition attracted more than 64,000 visits and featured 11 illuminated installations alongside more than 50 events. It partnered with more than 49 organizations and transformed city streets, squares and public spaces into an illuminated gallery.

The following edition expanded the festival further, and the official festival site reports that attendance grew to 100,000 visits.

The programme combined international and national artworks with work by Birmingham creatives. The 2026 edition featured installations including FORGED at Bullring, Reunion near New Street Station, My Heart Belongs in Birmingham, Our Beating Heart, The Look of Love, Firefly Field, The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace and Tipping Point.

The festival also expanded its legacy programme. Four legacy artworks were presented in the city, including the newly commissioned Where the Trees Begin alongside Alright Bab!, Ideas Happen Here and Roof of Stars.

The accompanying programme included more than 50 events and offers, demonstrating that Birmingham Light Festival is not limited to viewing installations. Visitors could take part in lantern processions, night markets, runs, dog walks, climate conversations, music, food experiences and creative activities.

Official tickets

Birmingham Light Festival’s main public exhibition is free and does not require a general admission ticket. The official FAQ confirms that visitors can attend the festival without purchasing a ticket.

Main festival: $0.00. General access to the public light installations is free.

2027 ticketing: No general 2027 ticket is expected to be necessary for the main festival, although individual accompanying events may introduce their own admission requirements.

Special events: Certain activities can require free or paid advance booking depending on the venue and capacity. The 2026 programme included special activities requiring reservations.

Official information: Visitors should use the official Birmingham Light Festival website for the confirmed 2027 artwork list, festival map, event programme and any special booking requirements.

Official Birmingham Light Festival website (https://www.birminghamlightfestival.co.uk/)