THE streets of Worcester city centre will light up tonight for a keenly-anticipated new festival.

Colourful umbrellas and glowing seesaws will be among the displays brightening up the city centre as part of Light Night Worcester.

Structures for the displays have been springing up in the city’s High Street and Cathedral Square in preparation.

A spokesman from Severn Arts Festival, which is leading the organisation, said: “We are all feeling really excited about the event, which is bringing world class performers and artwork to Worcester and showcasing this alongside our local talent.

“ Now the light sculptures are being installed, we can really see the event coming to life. The rain certainly hasn’t dampened our spirits.”

Here is everything you need to know about the first festival.

What's on?

  • Wave-Field –Lights and music intensify as you move up and down on a series of glowing see-saws.
  • Youth Culture – A towering, hooded sculpture with embedded cameras and tiny screens, which is designed to challenge perceptions around anti-social behaviour.
  • The Umbrella Project – A large colourful umbrella spectacle performed with 50 Worcester community performers including volunteers from Worcester Arts Workshop, Dancefest and the University of Worcester.
  • llumaphonium – A hands-on multi-player instrument which people of all ages will be able to try out to make music
  • Halo – An immersive and interactive sculpture made up of interlinked columns of evolving patterns of light and sound.
  • Spark! – Colourful drummers who will bring music, movement and light to their performance.

All the sculptures should be switched on from 5.30 until 10pm, this means you can visit them in any order and whenever you like in that time.

Cirque Bijou umbrella performance is the only part that is timed. This will start at The Hive around 7pm,  and will be joined by Worldbeaters Music and finish at Cathedral Square around 7.30pm. 

Where is it?

Almost all the installations will be happening in Cathedral square and the High Street. See map below for details.

Worcester News:

Along with all the installations, 18 students from the University of Worcester have created an imaginative piece of artwork, that will be showing at the University’s Art House.

Thomas Brown was awarded the graduate commission for Light Night Worcester and will be presenting his work in Crowngate.

He said: "When I found out I had received the graduate commission from The Arches Festivals, I felt equal measures of exhilaration and fear. I am now very excited to present my video installation entitled The Couple From WR1.

"The one-word brief that started this journey, was the theme of ‘connections’. I hope that what I have created connects with Worcester people and the festival visitors.”

Coffee Dough in Crowngate will be handing out free coffee and food samples to everyone that visits the installation.

How much does it cost?

Light night is free to attend.

When does it start?

The festival will be running from 5.30pm-10pm.

Where can I park?

City centre car parks will be open as usual.

Who is behind it?

Light Night Worcester is the first of four new festivals, which are part of The Arches – Worcester project.

The project is supported by the Department of Culture Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund, administered by Arts Council England.

Key project partners are the Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, Severn Arts and University of Worcester. Severn Arts is leading on the delivery of the festivals.