University Zone
28. What We Leave Behind
Artist: Lou Chapelle and Fiona McNeill (UK)
Centenary Concert Hall, 12 Cavendish Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 3AR
HOLOGRAPH | WOODLAND | CHORAL
Swirling through delicate greenhouse-like structures, holographic leaves hover in the air. They evoke the soil’s remarkable capacity to heal when it is given space, shelter and ongoing care. Lou Chapelle’s poetic installation responds to Gair Wood, the University of Leeds’ ‘woodland of the future’, where 60,000 trees form a living laboratory for ecological research and renewal. A choral soundtrack, recorded with Opera North Young Voices and Youth Chorus, sings this new woodland into being as a future home for hundreds of plant and animal species.
Credits:
Sound designer: Fiona McNeill
Sound composition: Lou Chapelle and Opera North Young Voices and Youth Chorus
Research: Dr Cat Scott and Dr Thomas Sloan, with Dr Robin Hayward and the Gair Wood team
Co-commissioned by the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds and Wigan Light Night. Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
29. Paradise Carpet
Artist: Zarah Hussain
1 Cromer Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JW
INSTALLATION | INTERACTIVE | SOUND
Slip off your shoes, rest a while and feel the carpet beneath your toes as geometric forms bloom all around you. This mesmerising installation creates an ever-changing carpet of light, weaving intricate pattern with the calming qualities of colour and sound. Zarah Hussain brings the rich visual history of Islamic carpets into conversation with contemporary digital art, celebrating migration, cross-cultural connection and our shared humanity. Her new design for Light Night Leeds 2026 is inspired by Pakistani Ajrakh floor coverings held in the University of Leeds International Textile Collection.
Presented by University of Leeds.
W3W: castle.train.nerve
30. The Clothworkers Yarn
Artist: Hannah Fox, Dan Fox and Bob Fisher (UK)
Centenary Concert Hall, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 3AR
SHADOW | PROJECTION | NATURE
Two shadow carousels cast a magical, folkloric parade across the walls of Clothworkers Court. Lit from within, their intricate fretwork cylinders slowly turn, sending hot-air balloons, woodland animals, mythical characters and circus scenes drifting through the space. Chimes and birdsong drawn from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols accompany the silhouettes as their stories unfold. Playful, mysterious and richly atmospheric, the installation responds to Quite Shameless, an exhibition exploring vampires at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery.
Credits:
Images: Hannah Fox
Carousel design: Dan Fox and Bob Fisher
Music: interlude from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, arranged by Dan Fox
Originally commissioned by the National Trust for Winter at Sizergh.
Presented by University of Leeds.
W3W: ranks.decreased.pound
31. Scores for Walking
Artist: J.R. Carpenter
13-15 Beech Grove Terrace, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JS
TEXT | PERFORMANCE | NATURE
Journey through the Yorkshire Dales in a new way with J.R. Carpenter’s constantly evolving text-based projection. Generated by the artist’s online writing machine, a fresh performance prompt appears every six seconds. Observations of the natural world mingle with walking actions and the sensations of moving through a landscape, inviting you to pause, imagine and respond. Each fleeting combination offers a different route through the Dales, turning words into an open-ended score for movement, attention and discovery.
Presented by University of Leeds.
32. We Are Stardust
Artist: Daksha Patel (UK)
Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 3AR
SPACE | PLANETS | ASTROPHYSICS
Look into the dazzling world of galaxies and stars through this light projection and original soundtrack. As two galaxies merge, intense starbursts create the conditions in which new elements, including carbon, the basis of life on Earth, can form. Dynamic particle simulations bring the birth of planets to life, while images from scientist Florence Bell’s notebooks and thesis connect cosmic discovery with pioneering research held in the University’s Cultural Collections. We Are Stardust captures the wonder of the night sky and invites us to reflect on our own place within the universe.
Credits:
Inspired by research by Dr Alison Young, Stephen Hawking Fellow, Conall Kavanagh, PhD researcher in the School of Physics and Astronomy, and Adam Koval, PhD, University of Edinburgh
Funded by Cultural Collections and Galleries, University of Leeds Libraries.
W3W: pads.spare.minus
33. Luminous Birds
Artist: Kathy Hinde
The Plaza, Leeds LS2 8AT
BIRDS | STOP-MOTION | INSTALLATION
A radiant flock takes flight through the arches. Suspended overhead, origami-style birds are brought to life by synchronised light and sound, with each set of wings folded at a slightly different angle to create the illusion of stop-motion animation. Spatialised sounds of distorted pianos and bells ripple through the installation as the birds appear to move together. Inspired by the astonishing choreography of flocking, Luminous Birds celebrates cooperation, collective movement and one of the natural world’s most mesmerising spectacles.
Credits:
Presented by University of Leeds.
Originally commissioned by Kidderminster Arts Festival in 2015, with development and sound commissioned by Cryptic in 2016.
34. Gaia and Maia
Bev Adams Arts (UK)
Precinct, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JS
WALKABOUT | PUPPETRY | NATURE
A glowing giant and her small human companion share playful stories of care and connection with our living Earth. Created by Bev Adams Arts with Kerith Ogden and Thingumajig Theatre, Gaia is an awe-inspiring Earth Mother, while Maia is her curious and engaging guide. Through spectacular walkabout puppetry and warm, playful storytelling, they invite us to think about climate change, reconnect with the natural world and discover how small acts of care can help shape the future of our shared planet.
Credits:
Conceived by Bev Adams and inspired by the Gaia hypothesis developed by James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis; part of Bev’s PhD research into street-theatre puppetry and climate-change communication
Created with support from the University of Leeds Cultural Institute, Engagement Team, School of Performance and Cultural Industries, and The John Hodgson Theatre Research Trust
Supported by donations from University of Leeds alumni and supporters through the Footsteps Fund
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
W3W: hoping.spoon.starts
35. Symbiosis
Artist: Livi Smith
1 Cromer Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JW
PROJECTION | SCIENCE | BIOMATTER
Enter the hidden world of bacteria and yeast as microscopic organisms vibrate, shift and move in symbiotic harmony. Large-scale video projections reveal life beyond the limits of the human eye, showing how different organisms work together to create SCOBY, a naturally occurring fermented biomaterial. Recordings made from the fermenting SCOBY deepen the installation’s sense of wonder and intrigue. By bringing these usually invisible relationships into view, Symbiosis asks what humans might learn from cooperation within the biological world.
Credits:
Lead artist: Livi Smith
Lighting design collaborator: Callie O’Brien
With support from the Bio-imaging and Flow Cytometry Facility, University of Leeds
Supported by donations from University of Leeds alumni and supporters through the Footsteps Fund.
36. Wondering the City
Artists: Verity Hannaway-Mackay
Precinct, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JS
CITYSCAPE | PLAYFUL | ARCHITECTURE
Move between the high-rise buildings of Leeds in a tactile installation that plays with light, form and colour. Inspired by traditional magic-lantern shows, Wondering the City transforms the familiar skyline into an illuminated world of exploration. Look through a range of translucent images, place them within the tower-like structures and watch the cityscape shift before your eyes. Playful and hands-on, the artwork invites visitors of all ages to rearrange the view, discover unexpected perspectives and imagine the city afresh.
Supported by donations from University of Leeds alumni and supporters through the Footsteps Fund.
W3W: exile.exile.precautions
37. Komorebi
Melissa Nesbitt and Amy Jamieson
The Plaza Leeds LS2 8AT
NATURE | LIGHT | SHADOW
Walk among dappled light and shifting shadows in this tranquil installation inspired by komorebi, the Japanese word for sunlight filtering through trees. Fabric lanterns decorated with cyanotype silhouettes float overhead, capturing the effect of sunrays dancing through leaves. Around them, folds of sheer fabric glow with changing colours, gently enveloping the space and creating a sense of movement. Pause for a moment, reconnect with nature and enjoy a playful evocation of the light, shade and quiet wonder found beneath a leafy canopy.
Credits:
Supported by donations from University of Leeds alumni and supporters through the Footsteps Fund.
38. The Space Between the Lights
Artists: Cultural Institute and Sustainability Team, University of Leeds (UK)
1 Cromer Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JW
NATURE | SOUND | TRAIL
Listen closely and seek out some of the creatures that make the University campus their home. From its famous peregrine falcons to blackbirds, bats and hedgehogs, this atmospheric sound trail reveals the surprising richness of wildlife living alongside students, staff and visitors. Discover who is active after dark, how different species navigate the night and what happens when artificial light interrupts their natural rhythms. The Space Between the Lights invites us to experience the campus from another perspective and consider how we might share it more thoughtfully.
Created by the Sustainability Team and the Cultural Institute, University of Leeds.
W3W: throw.economies.cage
39. It’s About Time
Paul Miller, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and University of Leeds School of Music (UK)
Centenary Concert Hall, 12 Cavendish Rd, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 3AR
PROJECTION | MUSIC | PERFORMANCE
Past, present and future overlap in this immersive, projection-mapped dance installation at Clothworkers Concert Hall. Original music by School of Music students meets poetry, choreography and moving image, creating layered timelines where shared memories collide with dreams of what might come next. Performers become living screens as projected imagery and flowing text travel across bodies and architecture. Exploring ecological change, social upheaval and collective hope, It’s About Time asks us to consider humanity’s choices while celebrating our capacity for imagination and resilience.
Credits:
Producer: Dan Merrick
Visuals: Paul Miller
Choreography: Carlos Martinez, Northern School of Contemporary Dance
Performance: BA Contemporary Dance Year 3 students
Music: School of Music composition students
Text: J.R. Carpenter and Poetry@Leeds.
Presented by University of Leeds.
40. Be Curious
Be Curious (UK)
W Yorkshire University Union, Lifton Pl, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
ACTIVITY | RESEARCH | MAKING
Be Curious is back, bringing a lively evening of hands-on indoor activities for the whole family. Meet University of Leeds researchers, explore their latest ideas and discover how work happening here in the city is helping to shape the world around us. Through playful experiments, creative making and surprising encounters, visitors of all ages can ask questions, test ideas and see research in action. Drop in, try something new and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.
Presented by University of Leeds.
41. The Heat Beneath Our Feet
Lynn Wray and Rebecca Smith (UK)
Lifton Pl, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9JZ
IMMERSIVE | PROJECTION | SOUNDSCAPE
Step across a dynamic floor projection revealing the glowing pathways and changing textures beneath our feet. Ancient geological layers shift through space and time, tracing the movement of heat and water through rock and showing how a new shallow geothermal network could help warm and cool homes and public buildings across Leeds. Sonic interpretations of seismic data, subtle underground vibrations and musical harmonies accompany the evolving visuals, creating an immersive journey into the rhythms, forces and hidden potential of the Earth’s interior.
Credits:
Part of Stories from the Subsurface and Geothermal Campus and City, funded by Geosolutions Leeds
Funded through the University of Leeds Climate Plan by the Sustainability Services Living Lab Programme
Part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
42. Kala
Artists: SAA-uk (UK)
162A Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9HB
DANCE | HISTORY | LIGHT
Classical Indian performance, contemporary choreography and responsive wearable technology come together in Kala. As light reacts to the dancers’ movements, the work travels through 300 years of South Asian history in Leeds, exploring cultural identity, migration, colonialism and resilience. An original violin composition is layered with sampled sounds of the city, echoing the push and pull between heritage and change. Vivid, dynamic and deeply rooted in place, Kala brings history into motion and celebrates the evolving stories of South Asian communities in Leeds.
Credits:
Produced by SAA-uk
Performers: Meghna Lokabhirama Nandini Raju and Akshay Sharma
Creative technologists: Cara Proud and Emir Johnston, part of Technologica Collective
Composition: Meenakshi Malik and Rohan Roy
Original artwork: Lily Flynn.
Presented by University of Leeds.
W3w: fines.modest.hike
43. Ready to Shine
Artist: Opera North
162A Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse, Leeds LS2 9HB
MUSIC | CHOIR | PERFORMANCE
Let the uplifting voices of Opera North Young Voices and Youth Chorus fill the Brotherton Library. Created especially for Light Night Leeds, Ready to Shine brings together songs chosen by the young performers alongside new music exploring belonging and home. Their voices rise through this extraordinary space with energy, warmth and hope, celebrating the confidence and creativity of a new generation. Gather, listen and experience an inspiring live performance shaped by young people and illuminated by the joy of singing together.
Credits:
The Opera North Youth Company is generously supported by the late John Barchard and Dr. Claire Barchard, the Dare Partnership, Derek Hill Foundation, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation, The Whitaker Charitable Trust, and The Keith Howard Foundation.
WHAT3WORDS LINK
44. STRINGED
Artist: Gijs van Bon (Netherlands)
Address TBC
TEXT | ARCHITECTURE | NATURE
Words, created by waves of animated light dots, are seemingly suspended and scattered in mid-air. Weaving around the future National Poetry Centre's striking Gothic architecture they flow into sentences of text, to tell a story that passes out of sight as soon as it arrives. With words developed by young poets from Leeds and beyond, the tantalising presence of STRINGED captures the fleeting glimpses and fragile eco systems of urban wildlife in the area.
Watch words emerge from waves of animated light, appearing to float and scatter through the air. Flowing around the future National Poetry Centre’s striking Gothic architecture, luminous letters gather into sentences that share stories of nature, seasons and our changing environment. Created by Dutch artist Gijs van Bon, STRINGED transforms poetry into a shifting visual experience. Pause as language forms, dissolves and reforms, inviting you to encounter familiar words afresh and consider how stories can connect people, place and the natural world.
Credits:
Words by poets working with the National Poetry Centre.
Seasons of Culture
Funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
WHAT3WORDS: LINK
45. Creatures of the Night
Artist: Leeds International Piano Competition
Location TBC
MUSIC | PERFORMANCE | LIGHTING
Enter a twilight world of Gothic piano music, supernatural stories and creatures of the night. Light and sound swirl through the space as performers move between contrasting musical styles, creating an atmosphere that is eerie, playful and immersive. Experience the music however you choose: recline on a beanbag, sit, stand, wander or dance. Inspired by the nearby exhibition Quite Shameless: Cultural Reflections on the Vampire, this relaxed performance invites you to embrace the mysterious and discover what stirs after darkness falls.
Credits:
Co-created by the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds and Leeds International Piano Competition.
WHAT3WORDS: TBC
46. Astralis ‘Of the Stars’
Artist: Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and School of Design
Location TBC
PERFORMANCE | MUSIC | SPECTACLE
Astralis is a vibrant carnival dance performance inspired by Greek mythology and the stories written in the stars, performed by the Boyz group at RJC Dance. Celestial warriors and scorpions dance among us through illuminated costume, choreography, engineering and design, exploring the enduring connection between humanity and nature.
Look to the stars as Greek mythology is reimagined through carnival, dance, music and light. Performed by the Boyz group at RJC Dance, Astralis ‘Of the Stars’ brings celestial warriors and scorpions into the crowd in illuminated costumes created through a collaboration of artists, engineers and designers. Dynamic choreography turns stories written in the night sky into a vibrant live spectacle, exploring humanity’s enduring fascination with the cosmos and the connections between people, nature, creativity and technology.
Credits:
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences and School of Design technical teams, Briony Thomas, RJC Dance Boyz group, Nillanthie Morton, High Esteem Carnival Designs, Angel Foster, Luke Tyson and Owen Jeffers
WHAT3WORDS: ///TBC