Light night is returning to Worcester tomorrow for what is planned to be a bigger and more luminous showing than ever.

Four brand new, large-scale projections created specifically for Worcester are being introduced this year alongside playful performances that will light up the surrounding streets from Tuesday to Thursday, October 19-21, from 6-10pm each evening.

It comes as part of the Arches Festival programme of events which also included Same But Different (in July 2021) and In Memoriam (October 2020).

The festivals programme is part of The Arches Worcester project, with the festivals team being part of Severn Arts (one of the project partners).

What can I expect to see?

Four high-profile artists have been commissioned to transform city centre buildings with projection-based art displays for this years show.

They will all be displayed between 6-10pm at their designated location on each night of the festival. 

Lilliput by imitating the dog will be displayed at The Old Palace, providing a platform for young voices to re-imagine the city through their hopes and dreams.

Ring the Changes by Illuminos will be shown The Guildhall, blending the historical and rich heritage of bellringing and guilds with modern technology in new and unexpected ways.

Re-Wild by Limbic Cinema, which will be projected on The Granary, looks at our relationship with nature and how we can help it to thrive. 

Whilst Remember the Future by Mark Murphy remixes vintage images of future visions to create a series of large-scale collage compositions. This will be displayed on New Street. 

Light night will also be branching out of the city with Lullaby, an arts project by Luke Jerram.

A parade of bikes decorated with lights and a brand-new, surround-sound composition created by local schoolchildren will be touring Dines Green on Tuesday October 19, Warndon on Wednesday, October 20, and Ronkswood on Thursday, October 21, from 6.30pm-7.15pm.

Further displays include projector bikes, 10ft angels and giant caribous.

More information on these, including locations and timings, can be found on the website.

David Edmunds, festivals director, at Severn Arts said: "Creating moments for people to experience something new is central to the festivals programme.

"Each of our selected artists/organisations is world-class and will be producing fantastic work that has never been seen before, that’s exciting!"

Do I need to pay?

Light night is completely free and no tickets are required for any of the displays. 

However, this does mean the city centre will be extremely busy, but there will be plenty of volunteers and signs to help people find calmer routes.

All the usual city centre car parks will be available and in walking distance of the main projections and performances. 

A map of the parking sites can be found here.

Festivalgoers are urged to allow for slight delays as heavier traffic and road closures will affect travelling times.

Which roads will be closed?

The following roads will be closed to traffic between 5.30pm and 10.30pm from the Tuesday until Thursday, October 21:

- Bank Street

- Charles Street (Between its junction with A38 City Walls Road and Friar Street/New Street/Pump Street)

- Church Street

- Copenhagen Street (Between its junction with High Street and the rear access to/from the Guildhall)

- Cornmarket

- Friar Street (Between its junctions with Union Street and Charles Street/New Street/Pump Street)

- High Street

- Mealcheapen Street

- New Street

- Pump Street

- The Shambles

There will be no temporary traffic signals or stop/go boards on Deansway or any other roads for the event.