Enlighten

purple lights displayed in background

Enlighten Accrington

Everyone is invited to come and embrace a spectacular FREE light show in Accrington Town Centre on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October.

Heritage buildings will be transformed as ‘Enlighten’ welcomes some of the most incredible artists in the UK to East Lancashire, with art installations and performances to savour.

Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October 2024, 5pm – 9pm, Accrington Town Centre

Enlighten – Latest News

ACCRINGTON SET TO BE TRANSFORMED FOR SPECTACULAR LIGHT SHOW THIS OCTOBER

 

Enlighten Promotional BannerFREE activities throughout the event

  • Art and light installations
  • Creative workshops
  • Live music
  • Interactive walking trail
  • Guided tour
  • Plus much more!

purple lights displayed in background

Food & Drink

  • Accrington Town Hall will be open as a café, offering a variety of food and drink
  • We are encouraging visitors to Enlighten to #ShopLocal and to visit local eateries throughout the event

 

What’s On & Where

Accrington Library

  • Sensorium by Gemma Wood – visitors will get the chance to embark on a spellbinding exploration inside the mind, in the shape of specially made structures. A fusion of sound and light will offer a unique glimpse into the wondrous interplay of our minds.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Learn more here: being-nowhere.com
  • Sonic Threads – Supriya Nagarajan brings her evocative Indian vocals and merges it with exhilarating western harp played by Lucy Nolan and together they take listeners on a journey from India to Europe. The duo will be joined by sound artist Duncan Chapman for this performance.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 7:30pm.
  • Learn more: sonicthreadsduo.com

 

  • A special performance of spoken word and poetry, to be read by a special guest and schoolchildren from local Primary Schools.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 6pm.
  • More details to be announced in the coming weeks.

  

St James’ Church

  • Black Hole – End of Time by award-winning artist and composer Paul Alty – an immersive and multimedia laser and sound installation. Watch as a black hole floats, as the air fizzes with lasers and projections, creating a 360-degree sensory experience, set to a contemporary electro-cinematic soundtrack.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Learn more: wixsite.com/paulalty
  • The newly transformed Accrington Pals Memorial Garden will also feature on the trail, with visitors able to check out the memorial garden on Church Street, featuring a brand new sculpture.

 

  • NETWORK by Gemma Wood – will illuminate the church garden with a breath-taking large sculpture of light. As the sun sets, this spectacle will light up your senses, as the beauty of the mind meets the magic of the night.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Learn more here: being-nowhere.com

 

 Market Chambers

  • Glowing & Growing by Baker & Bliss – an immersive and interactive glow-in-the-dark experience.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Drop-in workshops are taking place on Wednesday 23rd October and Thursday 24th October between 12pm and 6pm, where members of the public can make a glow-in-the-dark sculpture to add to the installation, add their glowing handprint, become a living sculpture or add a message on a label, before returning to Market Chambers during Enlighten to see how the space has been transformed.
  • Learn more: loubakerartist.co.uk

 

Victorian Arcade

  • Lamplight is a new commission for Enlighten by artists House Of Light – offering a unique illuminated walk through this beautiful and historic Victorian Arcade.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.

 

 Accrington Town Centre

  • The AR Enlighten Trail – a visual history AR Walking Trail in the town centre, will provide a historical journey, where visitors can explore historic images of Accrington through their mobile phones.
  • The Enlighten Trail has been created in partnership with the ‘Keeping East Lancs in the Picture’ project, where local people have gathered and digitised images of the town, comparing Accrington today with Accrington of old.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Learn more about ‘Keeping East Lancashire in the Picture’: lancashire.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/archives-and-record-office/keeping-east-lancashire-in-the-picture

 

Accrington Town Hall

  • Illuminos, headed up by brothers Matt and Rob Vale – will exhibit a remarkable display of light and colour, with a special ‘Dragon’ projection in the ballroom. From Chicago to Cyprus, Illuminos is revered around the world for their visually inventive, memorable projection artworks and experiences.
  • Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, 5pm-9pm.
  • Learn more: illuminos.co.uk

 

Ticketed Event

The final part of Enlighten will come in the shape of Baby Rock Sampler, an afternoon ticketed music gig for grownups and kids, on Sunday 27th October at 1pm.

Acclaimed electronic pop group Stealing Sheep will perform a captivating live set featuring costume, movement and special effects.

Learn more and purchase tickets, here: skiddle.com/e/40059094

A free performance by local-born solo violist David Aspin from Opera North from 12 noon will also be taking place as audiences arrive into the Town Hall.

Enlighten is part of an exciting events programme delivered by Hyndburn Borough Council and funded by UK Government.