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FAQ

WHAT IS LIGHT UP LANCASTER, WHEN AND WHERE IS IT?

Light Up Lancaster is a FREE 3-day family festival of light and art that will illuminate various locations throughout Lancaster city centre. It takes place over 3 consecutive evenings, 7 – 9 November 2024, 5pm – 10pm each evening.

DO I NEED A TICKET?

No.  Light Up Lancaster is a FREE city-wide event with no ticket required (except for the BSL tours). The installations and projections run constantly throughout the evening – so if you arrive and it is already underway, just wait a few minutes and it will start again!

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

This is an outdoor event and will take place in all weathers.  Warm outdoor clothing, appropriate footwear and waterproofs (to be on the safe side) are essential.

WILL IT BE DARK?

Yes – all the installations take place after dark, where the beautiful light art looks its very best! Some are outdoors and some are indoors where there will be well-lit spaces as well as darker spaces to showcase the art. See ‘At A Glance’ at the bottom of this page for which installations are outdoor and which are indoor.

WILL I HAVE TO QUEUE?

Yes, for some things – see ‘At A Glance’ at the bottom of this page. It’s worth coming on the Thursday if you can, or coming a little later on in the evening when it is likely to be a bit quieter.
If you don’t want to queue, there will be plenty of other things to see – there is no set route or itinerary to the festival – just view things as and when you want to!

WILL IT BE NOISY? WILL THERE BE SOMEWHERE TO SIT DOWN? SOMEWHERE QUIET TO GET AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE?

Some installations use music or some kind of soundtrack, and maybe a little noisy. See ‘At A Glance’ at the bottom of this page so you can plan your evening!

If you feel overwhelmed, you can leave an installation at any point. All the pieces are very informal, and you can come and go as you please.

You can come and sit down at The Storey, Lancaster Library, the Market Square Food Market and The Dukes.

Lancaster Library will be softly lit, and will be a good location to relax for a while, away from the crowds.

WILL THERE BE FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABLE?

There will be a tempting Street Food Night Market in Market Square run by LESS/Food Futures, and The Printroom Café in The Storey will be open each evening, and there will be food and drink stalls at the castle.

Plus, the wonderful volunteer bakers from The Friends of Lancaster Library (FOLL), are excited to be offering a donation-based warm space and Light Up café alongside the Basket of Light and A Kind of Magic on all 3 evenings until 9pm.

ARE ALL THE INSTALLATIONS WHEELCHAIR AND PUSHCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?

Due to the city centre location of the event, hard standing routes and dropped kerbs are present throughout the footprint of the event.
Some of the locations, as heritage buildings, may have some challenges to access and there may be alternate access routes – please ask a steward for information.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR DOGS?

You are welcome to bring your dog to any of the outdoor installations, however, do be aware that some installations may be a bit noisy!

The Storey welcomes dogs but would appreciate if you could keep your dog on a lead.

WHAT ARE THE BSL TOURS?

On Saturday 9 November at 5pm and 7.30pm, specialist facilitator Martin, who is himself deaf and a British Sign Language user, and also a light artist, will take you on an illuminating tour of the festival, highlighting the artworks, their meanings and the processes behind their creation.

If you would like to join a BSL guided tour, please email [email protected] or book at https://buytickets.at/lightuplancaster/1405744
Each tour will last 1-2 hours.

Please note: this is a BSL tour with no spoken English that is aimed at deaf, hard-of-hearing BSL users and fluent friends.

ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC TOILETS?

Yes.  Public toilets are located at:

  • Marketgate:  Baby changing facilities are available, along with a breastfeeding room and junior sized toilets in the main toilets. Please note these toilets are open until 9pm each evening.
  • The Storey
  • The Dukes
  • Lancaster Castle
PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Lancaster Railway and Bus stations are located in the city centre and our city is easy to get around.

For more information booking your journey via train, visit Trainline

For more information on booking your journey via bus, visit Stagecoach

WHERE CAN I PARK?

Locations, charges and parking information (including electric vehicle charging points) can be found on the Lancaster City Council website.

Lancaster City Council offers free and time-unlimited parking for disabled drivers displaying a valid Blue Badge in all of its off-street pay and display car parks in Lancaster.  Find Blue Badge parking in Lancaster here.

CONTACT US

Drop us an email on [email protected]!

AT A GLANCE

Canoe Club
On the canal
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
By the edge of the canal – extra care needed, especially with children. Thursday Only.

 

Play of Light
Market Street
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Interactive, kids will love it!

 

DoodleBug: The Animation
Storey Courtyard
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Gentle

 

1. Monad
Canal Basin
Not noisy, possible queues
Outdoor
One way system, near the Water Witch pub and canal.

 

2. Somnius
Lancaster Castle
May be noisy, possible queues at peak times
Outdoor
Steep access

 

3. Another LEAP
Judges’ Lodgings
May be noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Show starts every 20 mins

 

4. Labyrinth
Castle Gardens
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Gentle

 

5. Daydream
Lancaster Priory
May be noisy*, possible queues at peak times
Indoor
Seating available

*The Priory Director of Music, Rebekah Okpoti, will be playing the organ to accompany the projection and soundtrack at the following dates and times:
  • Thursday, November 7:   8:30, 9pm
  • Friday, Nov 8:   8:30pm, 9,00pm, 9.30pm
  • Saturday, Nov 9:  5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7.00pm, 7.30pm, 8pm, 8.30pm, 9pm, 9.30pm

Outside of these times, the installation will play using a recorded soundtrack.

 

6. The Matter of the Heart
Storey Gardens
Not noisy, possible queues at peak times
Outdoor
Accessible via the Storey first floor exit, near the Gallery. Lift to first floor available.

 

7. In Microns
Storey Gallery
May be a little noisy, possible queues
Indoor
Interactive

 

7. Shadowplay
Storey Music Room
Not noisy, possible queues
Indoor
Interactive, kids will love it!

 

7. The Storage Ring: Illuminating Science
Storey Auditorium
Not noisy, possible queues at peak times
Indoor
Interactive

 

7. Broken Records – The Phantom’s Playlist
Storey Reading Room
Not noisy, possible queues
Indoor
Interactive

 

7. Insect Architecture
Storey Music Room
Not noisy, no queues
Indoor

 

8. Market Square Food Hub
Market Square
May be noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Seating available

 

9. Solar Eclipse
New Street Square
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Please be aware this piece contains fast-moving torch lights (not electronic strobe).

 

10. Dancing Fountain
Sun Square
May be noisy, viewing area may be busy
Outdoor
Interactive

 

11. Big Yellow Blobs and the Box that Buzzes
Aalborg Square
Not noisy, possible queues at peak times
Outdoor
Interactive, kids will love it!

 

12. Imprint
Dalton Square
May be noisy, no queues
Outdoor

 

13. Welcome to Lunashire
The Dukes
Not noisy, possible queues at peak times
Indoor
Seating available, bar open

 

14. A Kind of Magic
Lancaster Library
Not noisy, possible queues at peak times
Indoor
Seating and café available

 

2. Garland the Gate
Castle Gatehouse
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor

 

JukeBike
Roaming the city centre
May be noisy, no queues
Outdoor

 

Wanderings with Plover Scar & Flashes of Illuminations
Roaming
Not noisy, no queues
Outdoor
Limited times

 

British Sign Language (BSL) Guided Tours
Roaming
Outdoor and Indoor
Please prebook