1st September 2023 - 7th January 2024

Light Art Trail

Monday 18th October to Saturday 30th October - 6pm to 10pm daily

Lightpool Festival features an impressive town centre art trail which will see outdoor spaces and iconic buildings transformed by spectacular light works, including a number of world premieres.
Join us on a discovery with the Moon Folk, meet Big Bird, a giant one-tonne pigeon, and watch in awe as St John´s Church is taken over by nature.

Lightpool Art Trail 2021

1. Digital Playground

2. Blackpool Light of My Life

3. 100 Local Lanterns

4. Rock

5. Spaceman

6. Brilliance

7. Big Bird

8. The Natural Takeover

9. Entwined Light

10. Tardis

11. And then I Slipped

12. Exponential

13. Luma

14. Power The Tower

15. Stained Glass

16. 500

17. Illuminate

18. White Tiger

19. Portrait Of Self

20. Lasertonic

21. Tower Projections

22. The Moon Folk

23. Astral Dreams

24. Tower Light Show

25. Spiro

26. House Of Cards

27. Aqualux

Historic Illuminations Feature

Title: Digital Playground

Artist: Studio Little Lost Robot

Location: Bickerstaffe Square, Talbot Road, FY1 3AH

Digital Playground is a walk-through forest installation of oversized, robotic flowers. As visitors move around the sculpture forest, it becomes apparent that the flowers' appearance subtly changes according to the audiences’ movements. Simply walking, stepping, swaying, spinning or even dancing within the space will influence the robotic forest to change in appearance.
This oasis aims to passively remind us all to take it slowly and breathe. Not replacing nature, but representing our relationship with the environment, these robotic flowers demystify emerging technologies and provide access to playable urban spaces that are sensitive and fun.

A SHINE commission.

Light Pool Walk - Blackpool Light of My Life

Title: Blackpool Light of My Life

Artist: Chila Kumari Singh Burman

Location: Outside Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street, FY1 1PU

New for 2021 and a world premiere, Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool Illuminations and Lightpool Festival are excited to announce a new light art installation by the internationally recognised artist, Chila Kumari Singh Burman.
After high profile projects for Tate Britain and Covent Garden in London, the artist has now turned her sights to Blackpool and the town’s Grade II listed Grundy Art Gallery.
Throughout autumn 2021, visitors will be able to delight in a riotous display of multi-coloured new light works that have been specially commissioned for the exterior of the Grundy. Brought together under the title, 'Blackpool Light of My Life', the exhibition is the artist’s love letter to the town which she visited regularly as a child with Blackpool Illuminations being an abiding memory.

Image credit : Chila Kumari Singh Burman, design stage photo, c/o Blackpool Illuminations

Light Pool Walk - 100 Local Lanterns

Title: 100 Local Lanterns

Artist: Chila Kumari Singh Burman

Location: Outside Grundy Art Gallery, Queen Street, FY1 1PU

All ages are invited to take part in a drop-in lantern-decorating workshop at Blackpool’s newest creative venue, The Old Electric from 4-6pm on Mondays during October (4,11,18,25) with artist Janine Walker.
All lanterns will then be installed to form an immersive community exhibition inside Blackpool Grand Theatre and everyone is invited to come along and enjoy this light up wintery wonderland from 6-10pm Wednesday 27 - Friday 29 October as part of Lightpool Festival.

To take part in the FREE workshop, please register in advance here: www.theoldelectric.co.uk

Light Pool Walk - Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen - Rock

Title: Rock

Artist: Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen

Location: Art B&B, 180-182 Promenade, FY1 1RJ

Bringing together his passion for design with his elegant artwork, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen creates a playful wrapper for this larger than life stick of Blackpool rock. This is LLB at his playful best.

Light Pool Walk - SpaceMan

Title: Spaceman

Artist: Alan Cockcroft

Location: Abingdon Street, Talbot Road, FY1 1DR

Originally designed for the Space Age road section by Alan Cockcroft in 1970, get up close and personal with two giant interpretations from the famous moon landing over 50 years ago – they’re out of this world!

Light Pool Walk - Brilliance

Title: Brilliance

Artist: Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Birley Street, FY1 1EG

‘Brilliance’, the first event of its kind in the UK, is set to light up the streets of Blackpool when the son et lumiere show is switched on this month alongside the world-renowned illuminations.

Light Pool Walk - Big Bird

Title: Big Bird

Artist: MDM Props in Greenwich & Lightworks

Location: Abingdon Street, Talbot Road, FY1 1DR

What’s 3.5 metres high and made out of ten London taxis? Big Bird of course! This new Lightpool feature is an exciting new addition to this year’s Lightpool Festival.
The 1 tonne pigeon was originally created for the Museum of London’s immersive experience Beasts of London, created in partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama, but it will spread its wings and head to Blackpool for Lightpool Festival.
This large-scale sculpture of a Trafalgar Square Pigeon (Columba livia domestica) is impressively constructed from parts of London Black Cabs (Hackney Carriage) finished in its natural plumage and aesthetically illuminated by Lightworks, the Blackpool Illuminations production team.

Light Pool Walk - The Nature Take Over

Title: The Natural Takeover

Artist: ANT DICKINSON AND AL JOHNSON

Location: St Johns Square, FY1 1BP

Vines, flowers, fruit, fungus and creatures take over St Johns Church as it is reclaimed by nature as a large scale, playful, rhythmic projection.
Bold and colourful hand drawn animations dance over the building’s surface, synchronised to music taking the audience on a journey in to the interconnected rhythms of the natural world.

Light Pool Walk - Entwined Light

Title: Entwined Light

Location: Cedar Square, FY1 1BP

Entwined Light tells the story of the ever-evolving relationship between the artificial and the natural through the transitional interplay of form and light.
The exoskeleton is a symbol of the man-made, while the photo-luminescent thread, powered by the sun, is an expression of the natural. The artwork provides the visitors with a path through this system in transition from natural organic body to controlled man-made configuration and vice versa.
Entwined Light is a colourful, multi-layered piece that unfolds throughout the day-night cycle. Variations in colour and illumination invite the visitors to take part in the story and revisit the installation at different stages throughout the cycle. Taking inspiration from bioluminescence in nature, the installation demonstrates alternative methods of generating light by utilising the inherent properties of photo-luminescent materials.
While the threads are soft in colour during the day, they activate in vivid blue and pink at night through a network of solar powered UV lights. These lights are passively charged by external light, the threads change colour and continue to glow when the lights are switched off. Get up close and experience this interactive installation.

Light Pool Walk - Dr Who Tardis

Title: Tardis

Artist: Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Edward Street, FY1 1BA

Exclusive for Lightpool Festival, a full-size Tardis replica, as featured in the BBC series Dr Who, will be on show on Edward Street..

Light Pool Walk - And Then I Slipped

Title: And Then I Slipped

Artist: idontloveyouanymore

Location: Horseshoe, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

By award-winning digital art and performance company, idontloveyouanymore, commissioned by Light Up Lancaster and Lightpool Festival Blackpool, And Then I Slipped is a waterfall of light.
Inspired by the waterfalls of classic children’s films, such as Jungle Book and the Lion King, And Then I Slipped focuses on the representation of waterfalls as passages of transformation, and plays with the idea of falling into and under the power of your own imagination, a space of magic where limitations are none.
idontloveyouanymore are based in the North of England and create work that blurs the boundaries between physical and digital realities. They are interested in speculative futures, alternative modes of reality and the intersection between technology, contemporary philosophy and the contemporary human experience.

Commissioned by Light Up Lancaster and Lightpool Festival Blackpool

Light Pool Walk - Exponential

Title: Exponential

Location: Horseshoe, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

Exponential is a kaleidoscopic audio-responsive installation with an immersive soundscape, surprise reflections and an ever changing swirling core.
Exploring the power of group action through light and sound, Exponential offers an opportunity for self reflection and discussion around our impact on the planet and society.

Light Pool Walk - Luma

Title: Luma

Location: Horseshoe, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

Luma is a huge, 8-metres long to be precise, robotic inflatable snail who loves an audience. She looms above visitors with a presence which is gentle, welcoming and otherworldly.
Luma has very few rigid parts and is almost entirely made from fabric. This allows her movement to be inspired by the flexible and contorting motion found within the animal kingdom and it is spectacular to see this at such a huge scale.
Luma is a joyful and hopeful work which champions both nature and technology, and reimagines what robots can be for.

Light Pool Walk - Power the Tower

Title: Power The Tower

Location: Horseshoe, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

New for 2021 and a world premiere, it's your turn to light up our replica of the world famous Blackpool Tower! Can you pedal hard enough on our specially adapted light up bikes to generate enough power to light up our Blackpool Tower model? Put your pedalling skills to the test.

Light Pool Walk - Stained Glass

Title: Stained Glass

Artist: Graham Ogden & Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Horseshoe, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

Originally part of the Blackpool Illuminations ‘Leaded Lights’ road section, designed by Graham Ogden in 2004. Take a trip down memory lane to celebrate decades of the glorious Illuminations.

Light Pool Walk - 500

Title: 500

Artist: Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Pavillion Theatre, Winter Gardens, Church Street, FY1 1HU

New for 2021 and a world premiere, at 500 we show you a small part of it as we celebrate four of the town's glittering venues that have been a mainstay of Blackpool for 125 years each with their own film. Grab a deckchair, relax, and enjoy our enviable history.

Light Pool Walk - Illuminate

Title: Illuminate

Location: CORPORATION STREET, FY1 4RW

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre in partnership with the renowned Lightpool Festival create a two-year project ‘Illuminate’.
Blackpool young people return to our venue with creative sessions that ‘shine a light’ on their stories and experiences on-and-off the stage.
Using light and soundscapes to deliver a creative journey assisted by our young people, collaborative artists and our venue our aim is to forge immersive partnerships and build long-lasting relationships.
Blackpool Grand presents opportunities for our community to enjoy, participate and learn through theatre, putting their creative voices front-and-centre, delivering joint platforms for shared work.

Light Pool Walk - White Tiger

Title: White Tiger

Artist: Chila Kumari Burman

Location: Houndshill Shopping Centre, Victoria Street, FY1 1HU

To celebrate the recent launch of critically acclaimed original film The White Tiger, which is based on the New York Times bestseller and 2008 Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name, Netflix partnered with Chila Kumari Burman to explore the concepts of ambition, class, society and entrepreneurship from the film.
Creating this visually stunning interpretation of the ‘White Tiger Driver’ car, Chila put her own distinct style on an otherwise ordinary looking car. The appearance of White Tiger at Lightpool Festival is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The White Tiger car will be on display in the Houndshill Centre each day during normal opening hours until October 17. Between October 18 and 30, the opening hours will be extended until 10pm each night so Lightpool Festival-goers can see her work up close.

Light Pool Walk - Portrait Of Self

Title: Portrait Of Self

Artist: Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Adelaide Street West, Talbot Road, FY1 4HU

‘Brilliance’, the first event of its kind in the UK, is set to light up the streets of Blackpool when the son et lumiere show is switched on this month alongside the world-renowned illuminations.

Light Pool Walk - LASERTONIC

Title: Lasertonic

Artist: FloLux

Location: Birley Street, FY1 1EG

New for 2021, how can colour and sound affect our mood and emotions? Studies have shown that colours with shorter wavelengths such as blue and green evoke feelings of calmness.
This immersive laser projection uses sound and colour to transforms its surroundings into a meditative environment. The colourful, undulating laser light dances in time with the surround sound, creating a serene environment to engage the subconscious mind.
Come along and relax into a fluid sonic and visual journey.

A SHINE commission

Light Pool Walk - Tower Projections

Title: Tower Projections

Artist: Various

Location: Blackpool Tower Headland, FY1 4BJ

This year, The Blackpool Tower Projections will run between 3 September and 3 January, and will once again transform the iconic Tower building into a sea of light, colour and sound.
From festive-filled stories to sci-fi projections that will catapult you to another world, these free-to-watch, digitally-mapped shows are a mesmerising treat for the eyes.
Look out for the exclusive projection shows during the Lightpool Festival as the charming discovery of Moon Folk unfolds and watch up close as the Tower is brought to life in the magical Tower Light Show.

Light Pool Walk - The Moon Folk

Title: The Moon Folk

Artist: GSMD

Location: The Blackpool Tower, FY1 4BJ

This stunning projection follows a group of curious animals on a journey of discovery.
The 5 minute sequence features a collection of charming, fantasy animals that begin their lives in a ridged monotone that gradually explore their world and their friendships bringing light and colour into their lives. The various creatures work together and explore a variety of landscapes and environments formed by the illusion of the shifting architecture of the building helping each other to overcome the challenges they face and find happiness.
The work is influenced in its style by shadow puppetry and traditional carnival costumes. Flamboyant detail and elaborate lighting techniques give the characters a beautiful aesthetic that combines texture and colour to create characters the audience will adore.
The story is simple and charming, appropriate for all audiences to enjoy.

Light Pool Walk - Astral Dreams

Title: Astral Dreams

Artist: Jack-Irving

Location: The Blackpool Tower, FY1 4BJ

Experience Astral Dreams, a stunning laser-powered performance; Moon Folk, an enchanting adventure of charming fantasy animals as they overcome their fears; and the spectacular Tower Light Show. There really is something for everyone to enjoy.

Light Pool Walk - Tower Light Show

Title: Tower Light Show

Artist: Greg McLenahan

Location: The Blackpool Tower, FY1 4BJ

New for 2021, The Blackpool Tower is emblazoned with a glowing heart and 25,000 lights on the structure. Take your place on the Comedy Carpet for this sensational light show as we bring the iconic Tower to life with a sound and light spectacular produced by Greg McLenahan.

Light Pool Walk - Spiro

Title: Spiro

Artist: Blackpool Illuminations

Location: Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, FY1 1NE

Take a walk on the light side! Spiro is an immersive walk-through sculptural tunnel of light spanning 26 metres in length.
First unveiled at the resort’s Lightpool Festival two years ago, it returns to the seafront for the full Illuminations season. The illuminated tunnel, created with individually mapped LEDs that allow complex patterns to beautifully dance around the audience, is the perfect selfie opportunity for all ages. Find it on the Tower Festival Headland; you can’t miss it!

Light Pool Walk - House Of Cards

Title: House Of Cards

Artist: Various

Location: Tower Tram Stop, Promenade, FY1 4TQ

Premiering in the UK for the very first time, House of Cards is a multi-sensory display that will mesmerise in the day and light up the night. The public art display consists of 128 LED light boxes in the form of playing cards, which in turn (or all at once) appear according to a preconfigured choreography.
At night, the House of Cards appears to collapse and rebuild, leaving passers-by enthralled to find out what’s next. The stunning installation has travelled to cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Bucharest and Milan, and now, for two weeks only, its temporary home will be in Blackpool.

The appearance of House of Cards at Lightpool Festival is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Light Pool Walk - AquaLux

Title: Aqualux

Artist: PHIL HOLMES

Location: Birley Street, FY1 1EG

An 8m by 3m creative lighting installation composed of 48 unfilled water containers, which typically hold 1,000 litres of water each, specially adapted to create a stunning, transportable and eco-friendly light feature to raise the importance of water.
Did you know the average person uses the same amount of water these containers hold within the space of a year? And that’s only at home! Our great grandparents managed with only three containers.
Aqualux is an eye-opening feature with an educational twist, so make sure you catch a glimpse of it.