Light Night Leeds About Us

Celebrating the diverse and thriving creativity of Leeds, Light Night Leeds is an annual free multi-arts and light festival that takes over Leeds City Centre for two nights in October. This year it is our 20th edition.

Starting in 2005, the event has grown year on year and has attracted more than 1.1 million visitors to the city. Last year’s Light Night Leeds saw a record 200,000 people attending and generating an estimated £3.5m for the local economy.

We are funded by Arts Council England, Leeds City Council and many generous sponsors.

The team
Light Night Leeds is brought to you by:

Artistic Direction

Courtney Spencer: Principal Curator & Producer

Production

Zander Marston: Senior Event Officer

Helen Tytherleigh: Production Officer

Beth Butler: Artist Liaison and Production Officer

Emily Marlow: Production Officer

Helen Moore: Creative Producer (Learning)

Orisa Pather: Production and Marketing Co-ordinator

Event Management

Craig Shackleton: Events Team Manager

Helen Taylor: Principal Arts Officer (Staffing, Access and Sustainability)

Jon Morris, Jamie Campbell & Peter Bowles-Flesher: Events Team

Neil McDonald: Events Officer (Finance)

Development

Ruth Fawcett: Sponsorship and Fundraising Officer

Volunteering

Jo Dean: Volunteer Officer

Marketing

Katie Stitson: Events and Festivals Communications Officer

Estelle Guiheneuc-Martin: Events Audience Development & Promotions Officer

Leo Rotaru: Social Media Officer

Martin Pinder: Design

With thanks to all the artists, technicians, Zone and Venue staff and all our wonderful festival volunteers.

Mission

Light Night Leeds transforms our city with spectacular light art, engaging local, national and international artists to create immersive projections, installations and performances. Recognised internationally as a leader in our field, we collaborate with cultural organisations, educational institutions, businesses and community groups to deliver an accessible and sustainable city-wide event that inspires hundreds of thousands of people. Light Night Leeds is a must-see event, bringing everyone in the city together and sparking curiosity, imagination and joy.

Vision

Light Night Leeds aspires to set the benchmark for quality and ambition in global light art festivals, showcasing the most innovative established and emerging artists and increasing those from under-represented groups. We strive to be the world’s most inclusive, accessible and sustainable light art festival. Through collaboration with cultural and educational partners, corporate sponsors and community groups, we create an inspiring and unmissable annual event for everyone, contributing to the success of the city.

Our values are:

Creativity

Quality

Inclusivity

Accessibility

Sustainability

Collaboration

Light Up The North
Light Night Leeds is proud to be a member of Light up the North, a network of light festivals taking place in cities across the North of England.