Birmingham’s city centre will once again be transformed into a spectacular gallery of illuminated artworks, as Birmingham Light Festival returns to the city from February 12 to 15 in 2026 – inviting residents and visitors to see the city in a different light.
Following the success of the inaugural Birmingham Light Festival earlier this year, which saw 11 artworks and a full programme of events illuminate the city and generate over 64,000 visits, all five city-centre BIDs are collaborating once more to deliver the second year of celebrations.
This year’s festival will take place over Valentine’s Day weekend, giving visitors plenty of chances to fall in love with Birmingham.
Even more streets, squares, and public spaces will be re-imagined with light this February, with Bullring and Edgbaston Village also joining the city-wide collaboration.
West Midlands artists invited to contribute to Birmingham Light Festival
There are now even more opportunities to get involved with Birmingham Light Festival.
Last year’s Legacy programme saw three permanent artworks installed for the Festival, which all still remain in the city centre as part of a commitment from festival organisers to brighten the city more permanently over time.
This year, local artists and creatives will have the chance to design a new permanent installation.
The continuation of the Legacy Programme has been made possible thanks to the support of Birmingham City Council, using funds from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Applications for artists are open now, via the Birmingham Light Festival website.
Businesses invited to host Birmingham Light Festival events
Today has also seen the launch of an Open Call to businesses based within the festival footprint giving them the opportunity to host official Festival events, which last year included a wide variety of programming from a Culinary Trail and the Paws of Light group dog walk to crafts and textiles sessions and even a nighttime kayak tour. More details on the Open Call are also available on the Birmingham Light Festival website.
‘We are so excited’
Led by City Curator, Alex Nicholson-Evans; Colmore BID, Central BID, Southside BID, Westside BID and The Jewellery Quarter BID will work together to brighten up February’s dark nights, with Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS) reappointed as festival producers. The 2025 festival also saw 48 United by 2022 volunteers bring the illuminated gallery to life each night and the organisation is set to support once again.
Alex Nicholson-Evans, City Curator, said: “We are so excited to be bringing Birmingham Light Festival back in 2026. We were overwhelmed at the response to the first festival earlier this year and the visitor figures and feedback proved that some light relief is exactly what the people of Birmingham and beyond needed during those dark winter evenings – 99% of that audience said they wanted the festival to return so we’ve worked incredibly hard with some really dedicated and passionate organisations to make that happen! It’s been fantastic to have all five BIDs continue their commitment to Birmingham Light Festival, and we’re thrilled to welcome back fantastic partners like The Mailbox too.
“Next year’s festival is already shaping up to be incredible. We have some wonderful new partners involved too, which means we’re able to grow the Festival to reach even more areas of Birmingham, such as Bullring and Edgbaston Village. We can’t wait to reveal more, but for now, I’d encourage as many local businesses and creatives as possible to register their interest and get involved!”
To be the first to hear about Birmingham Light Festival 2026’s artworks, and programme of events, sign up to the mailing list at www.birminghamlightfestival.co.uk, or follow on Instagram at @birminghamlightfestival.
