Festival Information
West Midlands
Overview
Birmingham Light Festival is a city-centre light festival that presents illuminated artworks and installations across multiple outdoor locations and venues. Taking place in the evening, the festival invites visitors to explore Birmingham on foot, following a trail of artworks distributed across walkable distances.
The programme is primarily free to access, with light installations located in public spaces throughout the city centre. Alongside this, an accompanying events programme includes scheduled activities, performances, and indoor experiences, some of which require booking or paid tickets.
Rather than operating from a single site, Birmingham Light Festival is spread across the city, encouraging visitors to move between locations and engage with different neighbourhoods. A number of commissions are designed to remain in place beyond the festival period, contributing to longer-term changes in how selected public spaces are experienced.
Line-up
View the official artworks list. For scheduled activities and ticketed sessions, see the festival events page. Note: Listings can change closer to the festival dates, so it is worth checking again before you go.
Festival Capacity: ≈ 64,000 visits
Birmingham Light Festival reported 64,000 visits for its 2025 inaugural edition during the event period. This is a cumulative footfall/visit figure across multiple city-centre locations (not a fixed on-site capacity), and totals can vary year to year based on programme, dates, and venues.
Location
Birmingham Light Festival takes place across a series of city-centre locations in Birmingham, with illuminated artworks installed outdoors and a programme of events hosted in venues across the centre.
Use the festival’s official map page to plan your route, including downloadable map options and an interactive map for directions.
For artwork locations, browse the festival’s official Artworks page. For scheduled activities, guided sessions, or venue-based experiences, check the festival’s Events page, where the programme is organised by festival day.
Information Point
The festival Information Point is located at Bullring, Moor St, Birmingham, B5 4BU, and is open 5pm to 10pm during the festival. Paper copies of the Artworks Map are available to collect, and staff and volunteers can help with practical guidance.
Travel Information
Travel guidance is published on the festival’s official Getting Here page, including sections for Train, Bus, Park and Ride, and Metro.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free - £40
This price range gives an indication of what to expect across the festival programme, from free outdoor artworks to ticketed or bookable events. Always check the official Events page for current pricing and booking requirements.
Many artworks at Birmingham Light Festival can be viewed for free as part of the city-centre trail and do not require a ticket. These installations are listed on the festival’s official Artworks page. Some scheduled events, guided activities, or indoor experiences may require booking or paid tickets.
Ticketed events appear on the festival’s official Events page, where the programme is organised by festival day. Some events require booking, while some installations and activities are free to attend on a drop-in basis.
What you will need to book
- Ticketed or limited-capacity events
- Workshops, tours, or scheduled performances
- Indoor or venue-based experiences that require timed entry
Booking notes
- Entry requirements vary by event, including age restrictions, so check each listing before attending
- Some events may sell out or have limited drop-in availability
Ticket and access information
Use official festival links for booking and pricing. For free artworks, access details are provided on the artwork listing. For ticketed events, refund and entry policies are set by the festival or hosting venue and will be shown on the relevant booking page.
View Official Events This link opens in a new tabAccommodation
Birmingham Light Festival is a city-centre festival and does not offer on-site accommodation. You will need to arrange your own place to stay in Birmingham or the surrounding area.
The Visit Birmingham website provides listings for hotels, serviced apartments, and short-stay accommodation across the city, with options to suit a range of budgets and locations.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you are fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Birmingham Light Festival takes place across multiple outdoor locations and venues in Birmingham city centre, and accessibility arrangements vary by installation and event.
Accessibility information is provided on individual artwork pages and on specific event listings, including details about access routes, surfaces, seating, and sensory considerations. Visitors are encouraged to review these listings in advance to help plan their visit.
Some installations include amplified sound, moving or flashing light elements, or live performance components. If you have sensory sensitivities or specific access requirements, it is recommended that you check the relevant artwork or event page before attending.
Blue Badge parking information for Birmingham city centre is managed by the local authority and can be found via Birmingham City Council.
If you have specific accessibility questions or would like further advice, you can contact the festival team directly at hello@birminghamlightfestival.co.uk.
