For the first time since the pandemic, Light Night returned to the streets of Leedson the 14th and 15th October.
Thousands flocked the Leeds see all the eye-catching spectacles part of Light Night 2021, an annual art and light festival held in the city .
Over 40 installations of light installations were set up across the city, celebrating , some projected onto some of the city’s major landmarks.
The theme was Nature, with each piece designed to showcase the Earth’s natural beauty and power.
From an illuminated owl in Park Square to a replica of planet earth measuring 7m in diameter illuminating Queens Square, visitors were left spellbound by the artworks.
Many took to social media to show their appreciation for the event.
“So great to have this on our doorstep”
@LightNightLeeds brought the whole community together. Fantastic to see so many people enjoying our fantastic city, appreciating art and learning about the environment. pic.twitter.com/K2hCq8yUiJ
— Natalie Brown (@NatalieBrownCSL) October 16, 2021
Belated @LightNightLeeds appreciation post. So great to have this on our doorstep 💜 pic.twitter.com/NoAQNbdAOQ
— Lauren Cowdery (@LaurenCowdery) October 17, 2021
There is nothing like #LightNightLeeds. The art was good, but the craic is outstanding: a very wide range of people, all happy, sharing a moment in their city together. And the weather's always kind. Glorious. Big thanks + credit to the @LightNightLeeds team + all the artists. pic.twitter.com/dxjUVBVYkL
— Ed Carlisle (@edleeds) October 15, 2021
A skyline spectacular
The event wowed people from above as well as the thousands walking the streets from installation to installation.
Some captured the sights on drone cameras.
Jelly(baby)
Monastery majesty
Kirkstall Abbey is well known in the city to be in ruins since Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries in during the 16th century.
However, for two nights only, starling murmurations were projected onto the ruined building.
Light Night Leeds at Kirkstall Abbey. They should do this every night really. Based on the murmuration of birds. Lovely. #LightNightLeeds2021 pic.twitter.com/N4wBO7m22z
— Una (@thingsbyuna) October 15, 2021
That’s a lot of lycra!
Hyde Park Harriers, a local running club made Light Night part of their weekly training schedule.
They decided to match the bright lights of the installations with their choice of running outfits.
Thank you @LightNightLeeds , a brilliant return! A group of #HydeParkHarriers celebrated with an art run! pic.twitter.com/WgidemDgGu
— StripeyAnne 🇮🇪🇪🇺🇬🇧 (@StripeyAnne) October 14, 2021
He’s behind you!
Leeds Night Light is the first of the annual calendar of light festivals organised by “Light up the North”.
Lancaster, Durham and Blackpool are other northern cities to host similar events later this Autumn.
For more information, see Light up the North.