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Birmingham Light Festival returns 12th to 15th February 2026
Via Hollie for Birmingham Light Festival
Details have been revealed for Birmingham Light Festival which returns from 12th to 15th February 2026, with even more opportunities for local people to be a part of this magical winter event.
Setting the sky alight at Bullring, FORGED will feature performances from local spoken word artist, Amerah Saleh and Insurgent, a progressive metal band from the city. Performing against the backdrop of a giant flaming organ, these artists will be bringing a powerful contemporary voice to this year’s festival.
Birmingham-born artist Anna West and Davi Callanan (idontloveyouanymore) bring their The Matter of the Heart project to Brindleyplace. Local people will be featured as part of The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace., which will be based in Oozells Square and features live heartbeats from citizens.
The programme of artworks also features Birmingham talent. Artist Jack Quddus (NeonCow) will be spreading the love on Lower Temple Street with My Heart Belongs in Birmingham, and mural artist Richard O’Gorman will be unveiling this year’s legacy piece, Where the Trees Begin, in Edgbaston Village.
Birmingham Light Festival has also added a brand-new event to the programme, with support from Birmingham City University (BCU) as the festival’s first-ever Connectivity Partner. Love on the Line will invite festivalgoers to Birmingham New Street during the festival to write a love letter to the city. These heartfelt declarations will be on proud display in light, on the station concourse throughout the festival.
Outside Birmingham New Street, Reunion will be the perfect greeting for those arriving into the city by train, inviting them to share in connection underneath the luminous, colourful arches. Visitors will also be able to experience pop-up musical performances from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students, all of which will be inspired by human connection.
The installations create a perfect path across the city, with visitors encouraged to use the Birmingham Light Festival map to explore on foot. Maps are available to download online or can be picked up from the Festival Information Point at Bullring. For those who would prefer to explore with company, dog walks, group runs, and walking tours are also available as part of the Festival events programme.
Over at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, visitors can join even more local organisations such as Fruit and Nut Village, Birmingham Open Spaces Forum, Sustainability WM and Brum Biosphere for Climate Conversations; a special climate change event featuring stalls, talks and activities running alongside festival artwork, Tipping Point.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor at Birmingham City University, the Festival’s Connectivity Partner, said:
Birmingham Light Festival captures the imagination and energy of our city, bringing people together through creativity and shared experience. We’re proud to support an event that celebrates artistic innovation while transforming familiar spaces into something truly inspiring for residents and visitors alike.
This speaks to our vision for Birmingham, as set out in our Strategy 2030, and reflects our commitment to creative partnerships that enrich city life, spark new ideas, and open doors for people from all backgrounds to connect, learn, and flourish.”
Alex Nicholson-Evans, Birmingham City Curator and Festival Director, said:
There are just two weeks to go until Birmingham Light Festival is back and we can’t wait to light up the city once again. This year’s programme is packed with some really exciting artworks and events and we’re so proud that local artists, performers and organisations have played such a huge part in bringing the festival to life.
We’re counting down the days until we can show everyone what we’ve collectively put together. See you there!”
Delivered by the city, for the city, Birmingham Light Festival is being brought to life by a network of local partners, including festival producers, OPUS, volunteers from United By 2022, placement students from BCU, a whole host of businesses across the city and founding partners Colmore BID, Central BID, Southside District, Westside BID and The Jewellery Quarter BID.
For more information, visit: birminghamlightfestival.co.uk.
