Start your Light Night experience early at the Park and Ride sites, with never seen before installations for you to explore!
2024’s a big year for Leeds. Not only has the Park & Ride service been in place for a whole decade, but the UK’s largest light art festival, Light Night, marks its 20th year in the city. It’s always one of the biggest events in Leeds’ cultural calendar, and this year’s set to be no different. Here’s why hopping on the Park & Ride is the best way to check out the free festival.
Start Light Night right with Park & Ride
The Park & Ride has been making travel simpler for a decade now, transporting people from Stourton, Elland Road and Temple Green into the city centre. With free parking, oodles of spaces and pocket-friendly prices, it’s one of the most hassle-free ways to travel.
Hop on the bus for Light Night and you won’t even have to rush back! There’ll be additional services running to and from the city centre with buses leaving every 20 minutes from Stourton and Elland Road. The hours will be extended too, with the last buses leaving the city centre at 10:50pm for both Stourton and Elland Road. That’s plenty of time to explore every inch of the festival.
And there’s more – Elland Road and Stourton will even have their own displays! Travel from Elland Road and you can snap selfies inside an interactive light maze, or hop on at Stourton to discover the stunning NocturnFox, a huge illuminated fox adorned with floral mandalas. You’ll find hedgehogs and owls from the same artist around the city centre too!
Explore a host of illuminated fun in Leeds city centre
This year’s festival features plenty of new creations by international artists. Modan, a stunning projection by Norwegian artist Anastasia Isachsen, will light up the water at Leeds Dock. Representing the circular nature of life, rebirth and the universe, the piece will be accompanied by a compelling soundscape.
Head to Aire Park by The Tetley to check out Parallels by Architecture Social Club. Multi-coloured laser beams will pulse and flicker to a mesmerising electronic soundtrack – it’s sure to be a popular hit with the crowds. Elsewhere, Dutch duo AlexP will light up silhouettes with colourful images and patterns, all projected from an old-school pram.
The iconic Queens Hotel will also be transformed into a spellbinding installation – The Bookbinder – co-produced by The British Library. Watch as magical characters are brought to life on the hotel’s facade in what will surely be a highlight of the festival. The best bit? Everything at Light Night is family-friendly and completely free to enjoy.
Travel to Leeds & back from as little as £1.50
The Park & Ride is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel into Leeds. What’s more, if you travel after 3pm from the site, you can buy an off-peak day ticket on the bus, getting you there and back for just £1.50! With three children travelling for free with every fare-paying adult, it’s a no-brainer for families.
